NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that President Droupadi Murmu had invited him to form a government. He promised that his new coalition of 15 parties would strive for unanimity and success.
Modi’s comments came after he met with Murmu and accepted her invitation to lead the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition government, running the world’s most populous nation for the next five years.
He stated that the new government would be sworn in on Sunday evening, making him prime minister for a historic third consecutive term.
“I want to assure the people of the country that in the 18th Lok Sabha (lower house) we will work with the same pace and commitment to fulfill the aspirations of the people,” he told reporters outside the president’s palace.
For the first time in a decade, his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – which won outright majorities in 2014 and 2019 – needs the support of regional parties to form the government. This shift initially spooked markets and worried analysts about policy certainty and fiscal discipline.
“It is my good fortune that all of you from NDA have chosen me to lead,” Modi said earlier on Friday after NDA lawmakers voted for him to head their coalition.
“No alliance has ever been as successful as the NDA,” he said, as lawmakers and senior leaders thumped tables and applauded, with some standing and chanting “Modi, Modi!” in the central hall of the old parliament building.
“We have won the majority, but to run the country, unanimity is crucial. We will strive for unanimity,” he said, signaling a change in style that coalition government may force on a leader used to ruling with a strong hand.
The new government would focus on raising the savings of the middle class and improving their quality of life, as “the middle class is the driving force of the country,” Modi added.
Key NDA leaders, whose support has wavered in the past as they hopped in and out of alliances, praised Modi and expressed confidence in his leadership.
“I am confident that whatever is left, he will now complete it. We will be with him at every step,” said Nitish Kumar, chief minister of the eastern state of Bihar, whose Janata Dal (United) party is the third largest in the NDA with 12 lawmakers.
Indian media reported that both Kumar’s party and the Telugu Desam Party, the second largest with 16 lawmakers, are eyeing the post of the speaker in the lower house. Meanwhile, the BJP is expected to retain four key ministries: foreign affairs, defense, home, and finance.
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