On a notable day at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu extended a traditional gesture by feeding ‘dahi-cheeni’ (sweet curd) to Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, symbolizing good luck and success. This ritual marks a significant moment as Modi is set to take office for a third consecutive term. The President is scheduled to administer the oath of office and secrecy to the Prime Minister and other members of the Union Council of Ministers at 7:15 pm on Sunday. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a third successive term in office under Modi’s leadership following the recent Lok Sabha elections.
The formal process of appointing Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister-designate began when President Murmu invited him to form the government at the Centre. This invitation followed Modi’s selection as the leader of the NDA. According to Article 75 of the Indian Constitution, the President appoints the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Lok Sabha as the Prime Minister. In accordance with this constitutional provision, Modi met with President Murmu to stake his claim to form the government. After a meeting with the leaders of the BJP-led NDA, who elected him as their leader, Modi’s appointment as Prime Minister-designate was formalized.
The swearing-in ceremony is a highly anticipated event, set to take place at Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 9 at 7:15 pm. The ceremony is expected to be attended by several prominent world leaders, adding to its significance. Rashtrapati Bhavan officially announced the timing and date of the event through a post on X, confirming that the President will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the Prime Minister and the new Union Council of Ministers.
In the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, Narendra Modi addressed the media, acknowledging his appointment as Prime Minister-designate by President Murmu. He expressed his gratitude and mentioned that the President had informed him about the upcoming oath ceremony. Modi conveyed that they would be comfortable with the event being held on Sunday evening and stated that Rashtrapati Bhavan would finalize the details of the ceremony. By then, Modi would have submitted the list of the new Council of Ministers to the President.
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections were a decisive event, with the BJP winning 240 seats, making it the largest party in the parliament. The Congress emerged as the second-largest party with 99 seats. The NDA, with a total of 293 seats, achieved a majority and is currently engaged in parallel meetings to finalize the government formation. The opposition alliance, on the other hand, secured 234 seats. Although the BJP did not achieve an outright majority on its own, it has the support of its allies, enabling it to form the government. Notable allies such as Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), which won 16 and 12 seats in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar respectively, contributed to the NDA’s majority. The ceremony and the subsequent formation of the government mark a significant continuation of Modi’s leadership, reflecting the political landscape shaped by the recent elections. The NDA’s victory and Modi’s third term underscore the confidence and support he has garnered from the electorate, setting the stage for another five years of governance under his leadership. The traditional ‘dahi-cheeni’ gesture by President Murmu not only adds a cultural touch to the political proceedings but also symbolizes a hopeful start to the new term for Narendra Modi and his administration.
