The political landscape in India remains dynamic, with significant implications for governance and party alignments as Congress strengthens its position and the NDA navigates coalition politics.
In a significant political development, the Congress Party has reached the 100-seat threshold in the Lok Sabha with the support of Vishal Patil, an independent MP-elect from Maharashtra.
Patil, a Congress leader who contested independently due to seat-sharing disputes within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to extend his support. Patil’s victory in Sangli, where he defeated BJP’s Sanjay (Kaka) Patil by over 100,000 votes, played a crucial role in Congress reaching this landmark.
NDA prepares for Modi’s third term amid coalition discussions
Newly elected MPs of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance are expected to meet on Friday to elect Narendra Modi as their leader, paving the way for him to take oath as prime minister for a third term. The swearing-in is likely to be held on Sunday.
After Modi’s election as the leader of NDA MPs, senior members of the alliance like TDP’s N Chandrababu Naidu and JD(U)’s Nitish Kumar will join the prime minister for a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu to present her the list of parliamentarians supporting him, Hindustan Times reported.
Shiv Sena (UBT) stays with INDIA bloc, refutes NDA switch rumors
Amidst these developments, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) has dismissed rumors of returning to the NDA. The party, which secured nine seats, remains committed to the INDIA alliance. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized media speculation and reaffirmed the party’s stance in a post on social media.
NDA allies call for Agnipath Scheme review post-election analysis
Meanwhile, NDA allies have reportedly called for a review of the Agnipath scheme, which focuses on short-term military recruitments, the Hindu reported. JD(U) leader KC Tyagi highlighted the discontent with the scheme, urging a clause-by-clause review. This sentiment was echoed by Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, who emphasized the need for open discussions within the alliance to address various concerns, including the contentious Agnipath scheme.