NDA to finalize Modi cabinet 3.0 in key meeting today

• NDA MPs to finalize cabinet ministers in a crucial meeting today
• PM Modi to take oath for his third consecutive term, first since Nehru
• Oath ceremony scheduled for tomorrow

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in for a third consecutive term, the newly elected MPs of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will finalize the list of cabinet ministers today in a crucial meeting. PM Modi and members of his new cabinet will take their oaths tomorrow evening at a grand ceremony. Modi will be the first three-term Prime Minister since Congress stalwart Jawaharlal Nehru.

The BJP won 240 seats in the Lok Sabha elections but fell 32 short of the majority mark. TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar, who have emerged as kingmakers at this crucial juncture, publicly accepted the proposal to elect Modi as the alliance's prime ministerial candidate yesterday. It is learned that they have also given written support to PM Modi amid speculations that the opposition leaders could approach them in a bid to stake claim.

The spotlight is now on negotiations between the BJP and its two key allies - TDP and JD(U) - each of which is seeking significant posts at the Centre. While Bihar CM proposed 3 MPs formula demanding 1 ministerial post for every 4 MPs, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction and the LJP of Chirag Paswan are also seeking key portfolios in the new cabinet led by Prime Minister Modi.