New Delhi, June 9, 2024 — As Narendra Modi prepares to take the oath for his third consecutive term as Prime Minister of India, BJP leaders are poised to dominate key ministerial positions. Despite coalition dependencies, critical ministries such as Home, External Affairs, Defense, and Finance will remain under BJP control.
The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi at 7:30 PM, administered by President Draupadi Murmu. Modi's new cabinet will comprise 78 to 81 members, including 30 full ministers and additional deputy ministers.
Having lost a single majority, Modi's government now relies heavily on alliance partners:
- Telugu Desam Party (TDP): 16 seats
- Janata Dal United (JDU): 12 seats
Despite extensive negotiations, TDP and JDU have secured a total of six ministerial positions:
- TDP Ministers: Ram Mohan Naidu, Chandrasekhar Pemmasanni
- JDU Ministers: Lalan Singh, Ramnath Thakur
Other notable appointments include:
- Lok Janshakti Party (LJP): Chirag Paswan
- JD(S): HD Kumaraswamy
- Apna Dal (S): Anupriya Patel
Key BJP figures retaining their positions:
- Home Minister: Amit Shah
- Defense Minister: Rajnath Singh
- External Affairs Minister: S. Jaishankar
- Finance Minister: Nitin Gadkari
Additionally, two West Bengal BJP leaders, Sukanta Majumder and Shantanu Thakur, are likely to receive state minister responsibilities.
Analysts anticipate that the coalition dynamics will necessitate a reshaping of parliamentary politics through compromise and ministry-sharing. Modi is expected to adopt a more conciliatory approach in response to these dynamics.
The ceremony will host around 8,000 guests, including prominent political figures, international dignitaries, and representatives from various sectors.
As Modi and his cabinet take the oath, the BJP's stronghold over key ministries highlights the party's strategic dominance despite coalition dependencies. The new government's approach to governance and coalition management will be closely watched in the coming term.
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