Narendra Modi Sworn in as India’s Prime Minister for Third Term
Narendra Modi, the leader of the Hindu Nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been sworn in as India’s prime minister for a third time. The ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the Indian president.
Mr. Modi’s BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won the general election with 293 seats, a lower margin than predicted by exit polls. The election saw a resurgence of India’s opposition, which won 234 seats.
Thousands of guests attended his inauguration at Delhi’s Presidential Palace, including the heads of neighbouring Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Tight security measures were in place in Delhi, with more than 2,500 police officers deployed around the venue.
During the ceremony, President Draupadi Murmu also swore in a council of ministers of Mr. Modi’s new cabinet. The NDA bloc relied on two key allies, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Janata Dal (United) JD(U), to cross the 272-seat mark needed to form the government.
Mr. Modi thanked voters for their mandate and pledged to eradicate corruption and poverty, stating that empowering the poor and middle class is a top priority for his government. He also emphasized the principle of religious equality within the NDA alliance.
The opposition INDIA alliance, led by the Congress party, has called the election a mandate against Mr. Modi’s government. However, Mr. Modi remains confident in his leadership, stating that his party did not lose and will continue to serve the people of India.
As Mr. Modi begins his third term as prime minister, all eyes will be on the new government’s policies and initiatives to address the challenges facing the country.
