STATE TIMES NEWS

New Delhi: Preparing to take oath for a third straight term as the head of a coalition government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s members who unanimously elected him as its leader.
NDA MPs will meet on June 7 to formally elect Modi as their leader and the alliance leaders will then go to the President to submit their letters of support, HAM (Secular) leader and former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said after attending the meeting.
The new government may be sworn in over the weekend, some sources said, adding that there is a view to wrap up the formalities quickly to not allow any mood of uncertainty to build up, something a buoyant opposition may push.
How soon the BJP and its allies reach an agreement on matters like the share of ministries each party may get and other terms of negotiations could also be a factor in deciding the timing of the swearing-in or they could put off the tricky issues for resolution at a later stage.
TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, LJP(R) leader Chirag Paswan, JD(S) leader H D Kumarawamy, Jana Sena’s Pawan Kalyan, AGP’s Atul Bora and NCP’s Praful Patel were among the 21 leaders from 16 parties who attended the meeting besides Modi and BJP’s Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and J P Nadda.
Janata Dal (United) leader Sanjay Jha, who was present in the meeting, said the formalities related to the formation of the government at the Centre under Modi are expected to be over soon.
All parties expressed confidence in Modi’s leadership, he added. A resolution passed at the meeting said the NDA government will continue working to lift people’s living standards for the country’s all-round development while conserving its heritage.
“We are all proud that the NDA fought the 2024 Lok Sabha polls unitedly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and won. We all NDA leaders unanimously elect Narendra Modi as our leader,” it added. The resolution also said that people have seen the country being developed in every sector in the last 10 years due to the pro-people policies of the NDA government under Modi.
The NDA has won 293 seats in the Lok Sabha election, comfortably above the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member House, paving the way for Modi to take the oath for a third consecutive term, a first for any ruling alliance since 1962.
However, it will be a different act for him this time as the BJP has fallen well short of the majority and depends on allies for the government-formation after enjoying a comfortable majority on its own in the previous two terms of his government.
Hosting the meeting, the BJP presented a picture of collective partnership with its allies with Naidu, Kumar and Shinde seated to the left of Modi while Nadda, Singh and Shah flanked the prime minster on his right.
In terms of their parties’ strength, Naidu, Kumar and Shinde are the three biggest NDA constituents in that order after the BJP.
The parties of Naidu and Kumar, who together command the support of 28 MPs, have rubbished speculation on their future moves. Naidu has reiterated his support to the BJP, a view echoed by JD(U)’s Jha as well. Asked by a reporter if he is in the NDA, Naidu shot back,”We contested the elections together. Why do you doubt.” All leaders congratulated the PM for his leadership and the strides our nation has made under him. They appreciated the PM’s hard work and efforts in nation-building, he said. Modi said at the meeting that it was a historic mandate for the NDA’s third consecutive government which, he noted, was last received in the country over 60 years back.
His allies lauded Modi for his clear vision for “Viksit Bharat” and asserted that they are partners in this goal. They also praised him for enhancing India’s pride in the world, besides his efforts towards poverty eradication and pledged to continue the good work, the sources said.

World leaders congratulate Modi

New Delhi: Over 50 world leaders have congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he is set to take oath this week for a third straight term at the top office following victory of the National Democratic Alliance in the Lok Sabha polls.
From India’s neighbourhood and extended neighbourhood, presidents of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Iran, Seychelles and prime ministers of Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Mauritius have sent congratulatory greetings to Modi.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson also posted a message on X congratulating Modi and said Beijing was looking forward to a “healthy and stable China-India relationship”.
Among G20 countries, prime ministers of Italy and Japan and president of South Korea have congratulated Modi on the electoral victory.
“Congratulations to @narendramodi on the new electoral victory and my warmest wishes for good work. Certain that we will continue to work together to strengthen the friendship that unites Italy and India and consolidate cooperation on the various issues that bind us,” Italian PM Giorgia Meloni said on X.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong described Modi’s victory as “historic” and said he was looking forward to working with his Indian counterpart to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations next year.
“Congratulations @narendramodi on the historic victory by the NDA for the third consecutive term. Look forward to working with you to deepen the Singapore-India partnership and to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year,” Wong said on X. Chinese ambassador to India Xu Feihong also congratulated Modi and the NDA for the victory.
“Congratulations to Prime Minister Modi @narendramodi, BJP and BJP-led NDA on the victory in the #Loksabhaelection. Look forward to making joint efforts with the Indian side for a sound and stable China-India relationship, which is in line with the interests and expectations of both countries, the region and the world,” he said.
From Africa, presidents of Nigeria, Kenya, Comoros have extended congratulatory messages to Modi. From Caribbean islands, leaders of Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana have also sent congratulatory messages to Modi. The prime ministers of Malaysia are among the South East Asian leaders who congratulated Modi.
In his message, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu said he was looking forward to working with Modi. “Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi, and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term,” Muizzu said on X. “I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for our two countries,” he said.
In his message, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said he was looking at further strengthening bilateral ties.
“I extend my warmest felicitations to the @BJP4India led NDA on its victory, demonstrating the confidence of the Indian people in the progress and prosperity under the leadership of PM @narendramodi,” he said.
“As the closest neighbour Sri Lanka looks forward to further strengthening the partnership with India,” he said.
Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay too hoped for deeper India-Bhutan ties during Modi’s third term.
“Congratulations to my friend PM @narendramodi ji and NDA for the historic 3rd consecutive win in the world’s biggest elections. As he continues to lead Bharat to great heights, I look forward to working closely with him to further strengthen the relations between our 2 countries,” he said on X. Latvian president Edgars Rinkevics said: “Congratulations to Prime Minister of India @narendramodi on the electoral victory.”
“Looking forward to developing bilateral ties between Latvia and India as well as working together to promote peace and law globally.” Lithuanian President Gitanas NausÄ—da was also among leaders to congratulate Modi. “Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi on the victory in Indian elections. I wish success & strength in serving the people of #India. Looking forward to strengthening bilateral ties between Lithuania & India and working together towards peace& stability in the world,” he said on X.

PM tenders resignation to President, likely to take oath on June 8

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tendered his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, who accepted it and asked him to continue till the new government assumes office, a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said, reports PTI.
“The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, met the President today and tendered his resignation along with the Council of Ministers. The President has accepted the resignation and requested Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers to continue till the new Government assumes office,” the communique said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take oath for third term on June 8, reports ndtv.com.