India’s president invites Modi to head new coalition government, swearing-in on June 9

NEW DELHI -Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on June 7 that President Droupadi Murmu had invited him to form a government, as he promised that his new coalition of 15 parties would strive for unanimity and emerge successful.

Mr Modi’s comments came after he met Ms Murmu and accepted her invitation to head the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition government and run the world’s most populous nation for the next five years.

He said the new government would be sworn in on June 9 evening, which would make 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, same commitment to fulfil the aspirations of the people,” he told reporters outside the President’s palace.

It is the first time in a decade that Mr Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – which won majorities outright in 2014 and 2019 – has needed the support of regional parties to form the government, a shift that initially spooked markets and worries analysts about policy certainty and fiscal discipline.

“It is my good fortune that all of you from NDA have chosen me to lead,” Mr Modi said earlier on June 7 after NDA lawmakers voted unanimously for him to head their coalition.

“No alliance has ever been as successful as the NDA,” he said, after 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, it is unanimity that is crucial... we will strive for unanimity,” he added, in a sign of the change in style coalition government may force on a leader used to ruling with a strong hand.

The new government would, among others, focus on raising savings of the middle class and improve their quality of life, as the “middle class is the driving force of the country”, Mr Modi said.

Key NDA leaders – whose support has wavered in the past as they hopped in and out of alliances – praised Mr 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 Mr 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 said BJP allies are eyeing the post of the Speaker of the Lower House, while BJP itself is expected to retain four key ministries – foreign affairs, defence, home and finance.

The Janata Dal (United) also wants the new government to review a military recruitment system introduced in 2022 under which young men and women are enlisted for a four-year tenure at non-officer ranks, with only a quarter retained for longer periods.

Previously, soldiers were recruited by the army, navy and air force separately, and typically entered service for up to 17 years for the lowest ranks.

The shorter tenure caused concern among potential recruits and led to riots in some parts of the country as it was seen as hurting employment prospects.

A lack of jobs, besides rising prices and falling incomes, were key issues in the general election, and led Indian voters to rein in support for Mr Modi, according to a post-election survey.

The coalition negotiations are a throwback to an era before 2014, when Mr Modi swept to power with an outright majority for his BJP. REUTERS