Who Is Getting What? As Modi's Swearing-In Nears, Buzz Over Key Cabinet Berths In BJP-Led NDA

As the oath-taking ceremony for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic third term approaches this weekend, speculation is rising over which important Cabinet berths will be allocated to BJP allies as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition government takes shape.

As the possible formula for Cabinet allocation within the NDA is being discussed, it’s being said that the BJP will retain the key ministries on Raisina Hill, including Home, Finance, Foreign and Defence. This report comes as key BJP partners — Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) — are said to be eyeing at least three to four Cabinet positions in the Union Council of Ministers.

Who Is Getting What In NDA?

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as the majority party in the alliance, wants to maintain good terms with all allies but is unlikely to give up any of the key ministries such as Railways, Law, Information Technology, and Education. These ministries are crucial for advancing the agenda of PM Modi’s historic third term.

Though no formal demand has been made, the BJP is willing to accommodate one cabinet post and two Minister of State (MoS) for the TDP and JD(U). Shiv Sena (Shinde) and Lok Janashakti Party (Ram Vilas) of Chirag Paswan could get one full cabinet berth and one MoS berth. JDS, Jan Sena, and RLD may receive one cabinet or independent charge MoS. HAM and Apna Dal will each be allotted one MoS.

TDP and JD(U)

Earlier, News18 learned that the TDP wishes for at least 3-4 berths in the Union Cabinet. They had one minister and one MoS in the earlier term with the NDA, with the same number of 16 seats as now. The Minister of Civil Aviation and Minister of State IT were earlier from the TDP until the party pulled out of the NDA government in 2018.

MoS Finance is expected to be a key post for the TDP which would help in Andhra’s development agenda. Amid intense speculation about the government formation for Modi’s third term, JD(U) is also seeking around four key cabinet portfolios. It is said to be eyeing the Railways and Agriculture ministries. Reports also suggest that multiple allies want the same ministers, but formal discussions have yet to begin. But the BJP is clear that it has a very cohesive and constructive NDA alliance and everything will be sorted amicably.

These reports on the allocation of cabinet berths come as newly elected MPs of the BJP-led NDA will meet on Friday to elect Narendra Modi as their leader, paving the way for him to take oath as prime minister for a third term. The swearing-in is likely to be held on Sunday. After Modi is elected the leader of NDA MPs, senior members of the alliance like TDP’s N Chandrababu Naidu, JD(U)’s Nitish Kumar and Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde will join the PM for a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu to present her the list of parliamentarians supporting him.

He may be sworn in over the weekend, likely Sunday. The NDA has 293 MPs, comfortably above the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Senior BJP leaders, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and J P Nadda, have also been holding deliberations with allies to work out an amicable formula for their share of representation in the new government.