Modi Thanks Coalition MPs For Complete Support

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked allied lawmakers on Friday for unanimously agreeing to back his third term in office, after an unexpectedly close election forced his party to rely on coalition partners to keep him in power.

Modi's Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled outright for the past decade, but failed to repeat its prior two landslide wins this time around, defying analyst expectations and exit polls.

He was instead forced into quick-fire talks with the 15-member National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition, which guaranteed him the parliamentary numbers to govern.

Modi's alliance unanimously elects him to lead as PM for 3rd termModi's alliance unanimously elects him to lead as PM for 3rd term

Modi's party has not revealed what concessions alliance members were given to secure their support, but several larger parties were seeking plum ministerial portfolios.

"It is my great fortune that you've elected me as NDA leader with complete consensus," Modi told a meeting of the bloc's nearly 300 lawmakers held in India's parliament.

"A majority is essential to run the country, that's the essence of democracy. But to run a country, consensus is also essential."

The meeting was a formality after the leaders of each party guaranteed their support earlier in the week, as is Modi's slated visit to President Droupadi Murmu later on Friday to seek her formal approval to form the next government.

But it was also an opportunity to demonstrate the concord between Modi and his new partners in government.

"Modi has a vision and a zeal, and his execution is perfect, and he is executing all his policies with a true spirit," said Chandrababu Naidu, the leader of the premier's largest coalition party ally.

"Today India has the right leader for the right time -– that is, Narendra Modi."

Other party leaders adorned Modi with a garland of purple flowers while Nitish Kumar, another key supporter, bent to touch the 73-year-old's feet in a traditional gesture of respect.

The alliance will wield 293 seats in the lower house of parliament, out of a total of 543. Some coalition allies are looking to benefit from the new arrangement.

The Indian Express reported Friday that Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from the southern state of Andhra Pradesh -- which holds 16 seats -- would press for the revival of plans to build a new state legislative capital.

Kumar's Janata Dal (United) party of Bihar state, the BJP's second-largest ally, was meanwhile seeking a review of a contentious army recruitment scheme introduced by the government in 2022 to cut military expenditure.

‘New chapter of development’

Indian media reports said Modi was likely to be sworn in as prime minister on Sunday evening.

Regional leaders including Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe have said they will attend the ceremony.