Swearing-in on the evening of June 9(Swearing)

New Delhi: Preparations for Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan are almost complete. The list of guests to attend the swearing- (Swearing) in ceremony on the evening of June 9 is also ready. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda are expected to attend Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.
Narendra Modi
The newly elected MPs of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are likely to meet on Friday to elect Narendra Modi as the leader. With this, the path for Modi to become the Prime Minister for the third consecutive time will be paved. The swearing-in ceremony may take place on Sunday. Sources said that after Modi is elected as the leader of the NDA parliamentary party, senior members of the alliance like TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu and Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar will meet President Draupadi Murmu and hand over the list of MPs supporting her. He said that Modi can possibly take oath on Sunday.

The NDA has 293 MPs, which is more than the majority figure of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Senior BJP leaders, including Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, held a day-long meeting on Thursday and discussed ways to speed up government formation efforts. This meeting was held at the residence of BJP President JP Nadda. According to sources, some senior officials of the Sangh were also present in this meeting. According to party leaders, other issues including the participation of NDA constituents in the formation of the future Council of Ministers were discussed in this meeting.

JDU raised the demand for review of Agneepath scheme

Amidst the efforts to form the government, this meeting took place at a time when JDU raised the demand for review of the Agneepath scheme of recruitment in the army. After the meeting at Nadda’s residence, the BJP President and the Union Home Minister met Prime Minister Modi in the evening. It is understood that the top leaders of the party discussed the form of government formation during this meeting. Meanwhile, senior JDU leader and Bihar Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar said on Thursday that the decision on the ministerial post will be decided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our leader Nitish Kumar. Kumar said, “The decision on how many ministerial posts JDU should get in the Union Cabinet will be taken by our party’s national president (Nitish Kumar), but it should be ‘respectable’.” Shravan Kumar, an MLA from the Chief Minister’s home district Nalanda since 1995 and considered close to him, however refused to elaborate on the respectable representation in the Union Cabinet and said, “Keeping in mind the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, a decision should be taken in this regard.” Another JDU leader said that his party should get at least three posts in the Union Council of Ministers. Chirag Paswan gave unconditional support Another BJP ally and LJP (R) leader Chirag Paswan said that his party’s support to Modi is unconditional and it is under his leadership that the NDA has won the majority. Paswan is also among the main contenders for a place in the Union Cabinet. Asked about JDU’s demand for a review of the ‘Agnipath’ scheme, Paswan said that Modi had said in the NDA meeting on Wednesday that he is ready to take suggestions from allies on various issues. Without commenting directly on the issue, the young MP said, “In fact he encouraged us to speak.” Has Nitish laid down conditions in exchange for support to BJP? JDU spokesperson KC Tyagi earlier told reporters, “There is anger among the voters over the (short-term army recruitment) Agneepath scheme. Our party wants to remove those shortcomings.” Shiv Sena sources said that Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde wants that other senior MPs should be considered for ministerial posts instead of his son and three-time MP Srikant Shinde. The source said, “The Chief Minister has always said that a king’s son does not necessarily become a king. Whoever works will become a king.” According to the source, Eknath Shinde has always said that merit should be given priority over family ties. He said all NDA constituents are likely to submit letters of support to Modi as the new prime minister to the President on Friday.

Modi, who is set to take oath for the third time as the head of a coalition government, on Wednesday chaired a meeting of members of the ruling coalition who unanimously elected him as their leader. Leaders of BJP’s ally JDU also held discussions with party president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on government formation and their role in it. Though the JDU has not officially said anything on the issue, sources said the JDU wants to get some key ministerial posts to strengthen its position in Bihar. Its political strength in the state has weakened in the last few years. It is at the third position in the state assembly after the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the BJP.

Chandrababu Naidu seeking Lok Sabha speaker’s post?
The BJP leader is in touch with allies over ministerial posts and other issues. Naidu wants the Centre to provide financial assistance to Andhra Pradesh to make Amaravati the capital. Sources said the party is keen to get some key ministerial posts.