NDA 3.0: BJP May Keep Defence & External Affairs; TDP, JDU Could Get 3 Ministries Each

While TDP and JD(U) are likely to get three ministries each, BJP will keep four apart from the PM post and Chirag Paswan's LJP (Ramwilas) may get two ministerial berths in NDA 3.0.

New Delhi: In the NDA 3.0 government, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to retain several key ministries, and accommodate the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) (JDU) in a big way. The BJP may keep Defence and External Affairs ministries with itself, and give significant portfolios such as Home Affairs, Finance, and Railways to the allies, according to sources.

Discussions over portfolio allocation for the new NDA government have been going on ahead of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Sunday. The ceremony will mark Modi's third consecutive term, making him the second leader after Jawaharlal Nehru to achieve this feat.

At the swearing-in ceremony Sunday, PM-elect Narendra Modi and 14 cabinet ministers will be administered oath of office, it is learnt.

In all, the sources said, TDP may get three ministries, and JD(U) three, while the BJP will keep four with itself, apart from the PM post. The rest four will be distributed between Shiv Sena (Shinde), Janata Dal (Secular), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas). 

This list comes as senior BJP leaders, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and party president J P Nadda, held discussions with allies like TDP's N Chandrababu Naidu and JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar to finalise the representation in the government.  

While names of the leaders allotted the portfolios are yet to be announced, prominent BJP figures such as Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh are expected to secure positions in the new Cabinet.

Modi 3.0 Swearing-In Ceremony 

The NDA government’s swearing-in ceremony will be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7:15 PM. Among the dignitaries expected to attend are leaders from neighbouring countries and the Indian Ocean Region. Confirmed attendees include Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'. This aligns with India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision, emphasising regional cooperation.

Security measures have been heightened for the event, with Delhi Police imposing prohibitory orders and declaring the capital a no-flying zone for June 9 and 10. The Rashtrapati Bhavan is meticulously preparing for the grand event, ensuring designated enclosures for the council of ministers and VVIPs.