Lok Sabha Election Results 2024 Live Updates: ‘Will take appropriate step at appropriate time’, says Cong chief Kharge after INDIA bloc meet

Amid elation in the Congress camp over its performance in the Lok Sabha elections, there is a growing desire in the party that Rahul Gandhi take up the post of leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and lead the party from the front in Parliament.

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“Success and setbacks are part of the game and if we are in politics, we should take setbacks in our stride. Small fluctuations should not deter us from continuing the good work we have done in the last 10 years,” PM Narendra Modi said at the last meeting of the Union cabinet, which recommended dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

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BJP leader Shaina NC expressed confidence that the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi would strive for a ‘Viksit Bharat’. She stated that people have put their faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA would work for a developed India.

Shaina NC said, “It is a matter of great pride that PM Modi will become PM for the third time. People have put their faith in PM, BJP. NDA government will be formed, BJP’s 240 seats are more than the entire INDI alliance. People have clearly put their faith in PM Modi and we will work for a developed India. Modi 3.0 will be the best at the fastest speed for a ‘Viksit Bharat’.”

She also rejected claims that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar would be allured by the INDIA bloc. (ANI)

Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar on Wednesday claimed that “fatwas” helped rival Shiv Sena (UBT) win Lok Sabha seats here and Muslim voters were convinced that Uddhav Thackeray has “forsaken” Hindutva ideologies. The Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde won seven of the 15 parliamentary seats it contested in Maharashtra. Of the six Lok Sabha seats in the Mumbai region, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) won three while the Congress, BJP and Shiv Sena got one each.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) pocketed 31 of the 48 seats in Maharashtra while the BJP-led NDA fell significantly short of its target of bagging 45-plus seats in the state, garnering just 17 seats.

Kesarkar said, “The fatwas helped Shiv Sena (UBT) win seats in Mumbai. If you deduct that (minority votes), every Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate would have been defeated by over 1-1.5 lakh votes.”

The Maharashtra minister alleged that Muslim voters were convinced that Uddhav Thackeray had “forsaken” Hindutva ideologies and the ideals of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray which led to them coming together to help the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates. (PTI)

Preparations for government formation began on Wednesday with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) unanimously electing Narendra Modi as its leader while the opposition INDIA bloc said it will take appropriate steps at the appropriate time to “realise the people’s desire not to be ruled by the BJP government”.

The ruling and opposition alliances held parallel meetings at the Prime Minister’s residence and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence respectively in the evening, a day after the election results gave a clear majority to the BJP-led NDA.

While the BJP won 240 Lok Sabha seats of its own, the NDA has bagged 293 seats, comfortably above the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member House, paving the way for Modi to take the oath for a third consecutive term, a first for any ruling alliance since 1962.

The opposition INDIA bloc too is buoyed after making stunning gains this time by bagging 234 seats.

Setting the tone for his third straight term as the head of a coalition government, Prime Minister Modi chaired a meeting of the leaders of NDA parties who unanimously elected him as its leader.

The NDA MPs will meet on June 7 to formally elect Modi as their leader and the alliance leaders will then meet the President of India to submit their letters of support, HAM (Secular) leader and former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said after attending the meeting.

The new government may be sworn in over the weekend, sources said, adding that there is a view to wrap up the formalities quickly to not allow any mood of uncertainty to build up, something a buoyant opposition may push.

In Chhattisgarh, a staggering 198 out of 220 candidates who contested in the 11 constituencies lost their security deposits, as per an analysis of the results. This overwhelming rejection by the voters highlights the state’s tendency towards a bipolar political battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, with little room for other contenders since the state’s formation in November 2000.

The BJP emerged victorious in 10 out of the 11 seats, while the Congress secured one seat. The voting process took place across three phases on April 19, April 26, and May 7, with a total of 220 candidates vying for the 11 seats. Chhattisgarh witnessed a voter turnout of 72.8 per cent.

“According to Election Commission (EC) rules, a candidate has to get at least one-sixth of the total votes polled in a constituency to get back their security deposits, which is Rs 25,000 for general (including OBC) category and Rs 12,500 for Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste nominees.”

The substantial number of candidates losing their security deposits underscores the voters’ clear preference for the two main political parties in the state, leaving little space for alternative political forces to make a significant impact in the general elections.

Dinesh Pratap Singh, the BJP candidate who was defeated by Rahul Gandhi in the Rae Bareli constituency, announced on Wednesday that he will be taking a partial leave only on Saturdays and Sundays for the upcoming year. He expressed his hope that the Congress leader will address the concerns of the local residents. The Election Commission reported that Rahul Gandhi received a total of 6,87,649 votes, while Dinesh Pratap Singh secured 2,97,619 votes.

In a letter addressed to the media on Wednesday, which was intended for the people of Rae Bareli, Singh wrote, “I humbly request the people of Raebareli, that I have been serving you continuously from 2019 to 2024 without getting tired or stopping. During this time, my family responsibilities have lagged behind, my sons and daughters have become marriageable, and I have to fulfil those responsibilities too.
“After serving the government and the party, we get only Saturdays and Sundays to fulfil our family responsibilities. Hence, I ask you for partial leave for one year only on Saturdays and Sundays to fulfil my family responsibilities. I will continue to serve you as before on the rest of the days. I will be with you in every happiness and sorrow,” he said.
Singh expressed his belief that the people will not feel his absence, as Rahul Gandhi, now the elected MP of Rae Bareli, will be present in the constituency every Saturday and Sunday to address their concerns. “He (Rahul Gandhi) will also be with you in every happiness and sorrow, whether it is the marriage of your daughter or any other purpose,” Singh added.

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders unanimously chose Prime Minister Narendra Modi as their leader on Wednesday. They passed a resolution emphasising the government’s dedication to serving the underprivileged, women, youth, farmers, and marginalized sections of society. The meeting took place at Modi’s residence, following the NDA’s majority victory in the Lok Sabha election, setting the stage for him to be sworn in for an unprecedented third consecutive term since 1962.

Senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated Modi on X, stating, “Congratulations to PM Narendra Modi Ji on being unanimously elected as the leader of the NDA. The last 10 years stand out as an era of large-scale development and welfare under the visionary leadership of Modi Ji.”

The NDA constituents’ leaders expressed their confidence in Modi’s leadership and pledged to work towards ensuring the country’s continued prosperity and emergence as a global leader. Shah further added that the NDA is “firmly committed” to serving the nation and its people with “renewed strength and momentum”.

Newly elected BJP MP from Chevella constituency, Konda Vishweshwar Reddy expressed his gratitude to the people for their trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Reddy stated, “I thank the people of Chevella. I think they have made the right choice. They have recognized the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and his direction. It shows their trust in PM Modi and the BJP. They have made the right decision.”

Reddy outlined his plans for his constituency, emphasizing his commitment to becoming an exemplary Parliamentarian. He pledged to maintain perfect attendance, voice concerns related to the nation, state, and region, and effectively utilize his MPLADS funds. During his five-year tenure, Reddy aims to visit every village in his constituency at least twice and explore opportunities to bring central projects to the area. He also assured his constituents of his availability and accessibility.

Commenting on the BJP’s improved performance in Telangana during the Lok Sabha polls, Reddy attributed the party’s success to the support received from voters who had previously backed the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the Congress in the Assembly elections. He acknowledged that the BJP’s victory was a result of the collective support from various segments of the electorate.

Former chief ministers, film stars, political activists and a former high court judge figure among the 280 first-term members of the Lok Sabha.

Uttar Pradesh, the largest state that sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha, has 45 first-term members of the lower house, which include actor Arun Govil, who played to role of Lord Ram in tele-series Ramayan, from Meerut parliamentary seat, Congress leader Kishori Lal Sharma, who defeated BJP’s Smriti Irani in Amethi, and Dalit rights activist Chandrashekhar Azad, of the Azad Samaj Party, a member from Nagina seat.

Maharashtra, where the BJP faced electoral reverses, has 33 first-term members of the Lok Sabha, including school teacher Bhaskar Bhagre, who was fielded by NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar from the tribal seat of Dindori. Bhagre defeated BJP leader Bharti Pawar.

Also among first-term members from Maharashtra are BJP’s Piyush Goyal, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Mumbai North, Congress leader Balwant Wankhede, who defeated BJP’s Navneet Rana from Amravati, BJP’s Anup Dhotre, the son of former Union minister Sanjay Dhotre, from Akola, and Independent member Vishal Patil from Sangli.

Former chief ministers Narayan Rane (Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg), Trivendra Singh Rawat (Haridwar), Manohar Lal (Karnal), Biplab Kumar Deb (Tripura West), Jitan Ram Manjhi (Gaya), Basavraj Bommai (Haveri), Jagdish Shettar (Belgaum), Charanjit Singh Channi (Jalandhar) are among the first-term members of the Lok Sabha.

Suresh Gopi (Thrissur) and Kangana Ranaut (Mandi) are among the film actors who will enter the Lok Sabha for the first time.

Rajya Sabha members Anil Desai (Shiv Sena UBT), Bhupendra Yadav, Dharmendra Pradhan, Mansukh Mandaviya, and Parshottam Rupala have also made their maiden entry in the Lok Sabha.

Members of the erstwhile royal families – Chhatrapati Shahu (Kolhapur), Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar (Mysore) and Kriti Devi Debbarman (Tripura East) will be entering the Lok Sabha for the first time.

Leaders of the INDIA alliance including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, MK Stalin, Abhishek Banerjee, Tejashwi Yadav, Raghav Chadha, Sharad Pawar, D Raja, Sanjay Raut, Akhilesh Yadav, Champai Soren, Supriya Sule and others after their meeting in Delhi.

‘We are looking at the political scenario’, said Congress president during press brief.

China on Wednesday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the victory of the BJP-led NDA coalition in the general elections and said both countries should “look to the future” to advance bilateral relations, frozen since the Galwan incident four years ago, on a “healthy and stable track.”

Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 240 of the 543 seats and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is comfortably above the majority 272 mark as per the result announced on Tuesday.

Relations between the two countries hit a low except for trade ever since the eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong Tso (lake) area near Galwan.

“We noted the results of India’s general election and extend congratulations on the victory of the BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the National Democratic Alliance,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing here.

“A healthy and stable China-India relationship is in the interest of both the countries, and conducive to the peace and development in this region and beyond,” Mao said while responding to a question by the official media seeking China’s comment on Modi’s win.

“China stands ready to work with India to act in the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, bear in mind the overall interest of our ties, look to the future and advance bilateral relations on a healthy and stable track,” she said.

Asked whether China will advance any new initiatives to revive the bilateral ties deadlocked since May 2020 over the Eastern Ladakh military standoff, Mao said China’s consistent and clear stand is that a healthy and stable China-India relationship is in the interest of both countries.

“We also hope that the two countries will act in the fundamental interests of the two peoples, work in the same direction and work for a healthy and stable China-India relationship,” she said.

Since the 2020 clashes, the two sides have so far held 21 rounds of Corps Commander-level talks to resolve the standoff.

According to the Chinese military, the two sides so far agreed to disengage from four points, namely the Galwan Valley, the Pangong Lake, Hot Springs, and Jianan Daban (Gogra) in eastern Ladakh.

India is pressing the People’s Liberation Army to disengage from the Depsang and Demchok areas, maintaining that there cannot be restoration of normalcy in its relations with China as long as the state of the borders remains abnormal.

For its part, China continues to maintain that the boundary question does not “represent the entirety of China-India relations, and it should be placed appropriately in bilateral relations and managed properly.”

Once the Modi government begins its third term, attention is expected to turn to holding the 22nd round of Corps Commander-level talks to resolve the deadlock over the disengagement in the Depsang and Demchok areas to revive the relations.

Ahead of India’s parliament elections, China last month appointed senior diplomat Xu Feihong as its new Ambassador to New Delhi after 18 months of delay.

Before heading to India to take over his new assignment Xu 60, said China is ready to work with India to find mutually acceptable solutions to “specific issues.”

“China is ready to work with India to accommodate each other’s concerns, find a mutually acceptable solution to specific issues through dialogue at an early date, and turn the page as soon as possible,” Xu told PTI and China’s state-run CGTN in an interview.

In April this year Prime Minister Modi in an interview with Newsweek said that for India, the relationship with China is important and significant.

“It is my belief that we need to urgently address the prolonged situation on our borders so that the abnormality in our bilateral interactions can be put behind us. Stable and peaceful relations between India and China are important for not just our two countries but the entire region and world,” he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday congratulated “dear friend” Narendra Modi as the BJP-led NDA prepares to form a government for the third consecutive time in India.

“India has concluded the world’s largest elections! Congratulations Narendra Modi, my dear friend. Together we will continue strengthening the strategic partnership that unites India and France,” Macron posted on X.

Over the past few years, the relationship between the two countries has expanded to several new areas under the leadership of both leaders — from the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets to developing helicopter engines together.

Last year, Prime Minister Modi attended the annual Bastille Day Parade in Paris as a ‘Guest of Honour’ on the French President’s invitation as both nations marked the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership.

France also conferred PM Modi with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the country’s highest award.

The Indo-French ties received a major boost earlier this year as Macron was the chief guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations during his two-day state visit in January.

The French President also visited India during the G-20 Summit in September last year.

In recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections, three women from Chhattisgarh emerged victorious, echoing the gender representation observed in the previous polls.

The ruling BJP won 10 out of 11 parliamentary seats, while the Congress clinched only one seat, marking a slight decline from its 2019 performance when it had won two constituencies.

Among the 11 newly-elected MPs, three are women, with two from the BJP and one from the Congress. A total of 29 women candidates, including three from each of the BJP and Congress, had contested the elections.

Rupkumari Chaudhary, a former MLA, emerged victorious in Mahasamund, securing 7,03,659 votes against Congress’s Tamradhwaj Sahu who polled 5,58,203 votes. In Janjgir-Champa (SC) seat,

BJP’s Kamlesh Jangde, a fresher, defeated Congress’s Shivkumar Dahariya, an influential Scheduled Caste community leader and former state minister, garnering 6,78,199 votes.

Congress candidate Jyotsana Mahant, wife of opposition leader Charan Das Mahant, retained her seat in Korba by defeating BJP’s Saroj Pandey, a former MP, by a margin of 43,283 votes. Jyotsana bagged 5,70,182 votes while Pandey polled 5,26,899 votes.

Saroj Pandey of BJP and Shashi Singh and Menka Devi Singh of Congress faced defeat in their respective constituencies in Korba, Surguja (ST), and Raigarh.

The Union ministers of the 17th Lok Sabha were en route to Rashtrapati Bhawan to participate in a dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. The ministers were invited to attend the event, which was organized by the President’s office.

The dinner was an opportunity for the Union Ministers to gather and interact with each other in a formal setting. “Union Ministers of the 17th Lok Sabha on their way to Rashtrapati Bhawan to attend the dinner organised by President Droupadi Murmu.”

The event was expected to foster a sense of camaraderie and unity among the ministers, who play a crucial role in the functioning of the government. The dinner also served as a platform for the ministers to discuss various issues and exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere.

Putting an end to speculations about Nitish joining the Indi alliance after the Lok Sabha election results, JDU national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan today said the unity of the NDA is as strong as a rock.

• Mallikarjun Kharge INC
• Sonia Gandhi INC
• Rahul Gandhi INC
• KC Venugopal INC
• Sharad Pawar NCP
• Supriya Sule NCP
• MK Stalin DMK
• TR Balu DMK
• Akhilesh Yadav SP
• Ramgopal Yadav SP
• Priyanka Gandhi Vadra INC
• Abhishek Banerjee AITC
• Arvind Sawant SS(UBT)
• Tejashwi Yadav RJD
• Sanjay Yadav RJD
• Sitaram Yechury CPI(M)
• Sanjay Raut SS(UBT)
• D Raja CPI
• Champai Soren JMM
• Kalpana Soren JMM
• Sanjay Singh AAP
• Raghav Chadha AAP
• Dipankar Bhattacharya CPI(ML)
• Omar Abdullah JKNC
• Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal IUML
• PK Kunhalikutty IUML
• Jose K. Mani KC(M)
• Thiru Thol. Thirumavalavan VCK
• NK Premachandran RSP
• MH Jawahirullah (MMK)
• G Devarajan AIFB
• Thiru E.R. Eswaran (KMDK)
• D Ravikumar VCK

Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the Alliance members, acknowledging their united and resolute efforts in the fight. He stated, “We fought well, fought unitedly, fought resolutely.”

Kharge emphasized that the mandate clearly opposed Modi, his political approach, and his personal style. He described the outcome as a significant political setback for Modi, as well as a distinct moral defeat.

Despite the people’s clear decision, Kharge expressed concern that Modi remains committed to undermining their will and disregarding the mandate’s message.

In a resolute statement, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking at the INDIA bloc meeting, asserted that the mandate was a firm rejection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political approach, both in terms of content and presentation. Kharge emphasized that the outcome of the recent elections served as a strong rebuke to the Prime Minister’s style of governance and the substance of his policies.

The Congress leader further accused PM Modi of being steadfast in his efforts to undermine the democratic will of the people, even in the face of an unequivocal moral defeat. Kharge’s remarks at the INDIA bloc gathering highlighted the opposition’s stance that the Prime Minister’s actions were aimed at subverting the genuine desires and aspirations of the electorate, despite the clear message sent through the ballot box.

On Wednesday, the leaders of the National Democratic Alliance, led by the BJP, unanimously chose Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the leader of the ruling coalition. They adopted a resolution emphasizing the government’s dedication to serving the underprivileged, women, youth, farmers, and marginalized segments of society.

The meeting took place at Modi’s residence a day after the NDA secured a majority of seats in the Lok Sabha election, setting the stage for him to be sworn in for a third consecutive term, a first for any ruling alliance since 1962. Among those in attendance were TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, LJP(R) leader Chirag Paswan, and NCP leader Praful Patel.

The resolution stated that the NDA government will persist in its efforts to improve people’s living standards for the overall development of the nation while preserving its heritage. “We are all proud that the NDA fought the 2024 Lok Sabha polls unitedly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and won. We all NDA leaders unanimously elect Narendra Modi as our leader,” it added.

Furthermore, the resolution highlighted that over the past decade, the public has witnessed the country’s progress in every sector, attributable to the pro-people policies implemented by the NDA government under Modi’s leadership.

A significant gathering of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance took place at the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Wednesday. The meeting saw the attendance of prominent BJP leaders, including party president JP Nadda, Amit Shah, and Rajnath Singh, along with allies such as Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy, Janasena Party chief Pawan Kalyan, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, and Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Praful Patel, among others.

Sources indicate that the meeting focused on discussions regarding the formation of the government by the NDA. It is expected that PM Modi will be sworn in for his third term on June 8. The presence of Naidu and Nitish Kumar at the NDA meeting holds great significance, as their parties’ support is vital for the BJP to establish the government. In this election, the BJP secured 240 seats, falling 32 seats short of the majority mark of 272, necessitating reliance on its allies to form the government.

The Election Commission of India announced the results on Tuesday, revealing that the BJP won 240 seats, while the Congress secured 99 seats. This marks a decrease from the BJP’s previous victories, having won 303 seats in the 2019 general elections and 282 seats in the 2014 general elections.

In a related development, President Droupadi Murmu dissolved the 17th Lok Sabha on Wednesday, following the recommendation of the Union Cabinet. “The President accepted the advice of the Cabinet on June 5, 2024, and signed the Order dissolving the 17th Lok Sabha in the exercise of the powers conferred upon her by Sub-Clause (2) of Article 85 of the Constitution,” a statement from the Rashtrapati Bhavan confirmed.

Earlier on Wednesday, PM Modi submitted his resignation, along with that of his Council of Ministers, to President Murmu. The President accepted the resignation and requested the Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers to continue in their roles until the formation of the new government.

Concurrently, the opposition coalition, known as the INDIA bloc, has scheduled a meeting in Delhi on Wednesday evening. INC president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the alliance leaders will convene to discuss the election results and formulate their future strategy.

Over 50 world leaders have congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he is set to take oath this week for a third straight term at the top office following victory of the National Democratic Alliance in the Lok Sabha polls.

From India’s neighbourhood and extended neighbourhood, presidents of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Iran, Seychelles and prime ministers of Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Mauritius have sent congratulatory greetings to Modi.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson also posted a message on X congratulating Modi and said Beijing was looking forward to a “healthy and stable China-India relationship”.

Among G20 countries, prime ministers of Italy and Japan and president of South Korea have congratulated Modi on the electoral victory.

“Congratulations to @narendramodi on the new electoral victory and my warmest wishes for good work. Certain that we will continue to work together to strengthen the friendship that unites Italy and India and consolidate cooperation on the various issues that bind us,” Italian PM Giorgia Meloni said on X.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong described Modi’s victory as “historic” and said he was looking forward to working with his Indian counterpart to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations next year.

“Congratulations @narendramodi on the historic victory by the NDA for the third consecutive term. Look forward to working with you to deepen the Singapore-India partnership and to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year,” Wong said on X.

Chinese ambassador to India Xu Feihong also congratulated Modi and the NDA for the victory.

“Congratulations to Prime Minister Modi @narendramodi, BJP and BJP-led NDA on the victory in the #Loksabhaelection. Look forward to making joint efforts with the Indian side for a sound and stable China-India relationship, which is in line with the interests and expectations of both countries, the region and the world,” he said.

From Africa, presidents of Nigeria, Kenya, Comoros have extended congratulatory messages to Modi.

From Caribbean islands, leaders of Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana have also sent congratulatory messages to Modi.

The prime ministers of Malaysia are among the South East Asian leaders who congratulated Modi.

The NDA leaders have adopted a resolution emphasizing the alliance government’s dedication to assisting underprivileged segments of society, including the poor, women, youth, farmers, and other marginalized groups. The resolution highlights the government’s commitment to implementing policies and programs that uplift and empower these sections of the population.

The alliance partners reaffirmed their pledge to work tirelessly towards improving the lives of those who have been historically disadvantaged and ensuring that the benefits of development reach every corner of the nation. The resolution serves as a guiding principle for the NDA government’s future actions and initiatives.

By prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable sections of society, the NDA aims to create a more inclusive and equitable India where every citizen has access to opportunities for growth and progress. The resolution underscores the government’s determination to build a strong and prosperous nation that leaves no one behind.

Following the gathering of NDA MPs on June 7th, the allies of the National Democratic Alliance are set to hold a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu. The discussion regarding the formation of the government will be led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP president JP Nadda, who will engage in a dialogue with the allies, according to sources.

The meeting with the President is expected to focus on the next steps in the process of forming the new government. The NDA leaders will likely present their plan and seek the President’s approval to move forward with the formation of the cabinet and the allocation of ministerial positions.

Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress President, welcomed N.K. Premachandran, a prominent leader of the Revolutionary Socialist Party, at his residence. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss matters related to the INDIA alliance.

The two leaders engaged in a productive discussion, focusing on the alliance’s objectives and strategies. They exchanged ideas and perspectives on how to strengthen the coalition and address the challenges faced by the nation.

The INDIA alliance, a united front of opposition parties, aims to provide a strong and effective alternative to the current government. The meeting between Kharge and Premachandran underscores the alliance’s commitment to fostering cooperation and unity among its constituents.

As the discussions concluded, both leaders expressed their determination to work together and mobilize their respective parties to advance the goals of the INDIA alliance. The meeting served as a testament to the growing solidarity within the opposition ranks.

On Wednesday, President Droupadi Murmu dissolved the 17th Lok Sabha based on the recommendation of the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as per a statement from the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The Cabinet advised the President to dissolve the current Lok Sabha with immediate effect during its meeting on Wednesday. “The President has accepted the advice of the Cabinet on 05.06.2024 and signed the Order dissolving the 17th Lok Sabha in exercise of the powers conferred upon her by Sub-clause (b) of Clause (2) of Article 85 of the Constitution,” the Rashtrapati Bhavan communique stated.

The 17th Lok Sabha’s term was set to conclude on June 16. Prime Minister Modi submitted his resignation to President Murmu earlier in the day, which she accepted and requested him to continue in office until the formation of the new government.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a majority in the Lok Sabha election. Although the NDA has comfortably surpassed the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha, the BJP, having won 240 seats, has fallen short of the magic number for the first time since 2014. Consequently, the party is heavily reliant on its allies for the formation of the government.

Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, departed from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence at 7, LKM in Delhi. His exit followed the end of a gathering involving the member parties of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The meeting, which took place at the Prime Minister’s official residence, saw the participation of representatives from the various constituents of the NDA. The alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), discussed matters of mutual interest and future strategies.

K Annamalai, the BJP chief of Tamil Nadu, expresses confidence in Narendra Modi’s return to power for a third consecutive term, acknowledging the challenges of forming a government in India’s democratic system. He views every election as a learning opportunity for the BJP, which is a growing party in Tamil Nadu. Annamalai highlights the improvement in the party’s vote share, reaching double digits, and the lotus symbol’s performance in 23 out of 39 places, marking a significant milestone for the BJP in the state.

Despite the progress, Annamalai admits that the party is not entirely satisfied with the outcome, as they could not send an MP to Delhi. However, he emphasizes the importance of introspection and finding ways to address the shortcomings. The BJP aims to not only increase its voting percentage in the future but also send representatives to the Parliament, reflecting their determination to strengthen their presence in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.

“Narendra Modi ji is coming back to power for the third consecutive time. And if you look at the democratic system of India, we all know how difficult it is to form a government for the third consecutive time…With respect to the state of Tamil Nadu, every election is a lesson. We are not a party that was in power and that can conduct elections in a certain way. We are growing. Our vote share has improved, we are very happy with that, it has reached double digits which is very important in politics. The lotus symbol, stood at 23 out of 39 places. This is very important for us. In 20 years, many parts of Tamil Nadu voted for the lotus for the first time. We could not send an MP to Delhi. We are not very happy with this…We will introspect and we will find a way to fix it. And next time, not only increase the voting percentage but also send MPs to Parliament…”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called a meeting of newly elected Lok Sabha MPs of TMC on Saturday, party sources said.

The TMC maintained its dominance in the state as Banerjee led her party to a resounding victory by bagging 29 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats, whereas the principal opposition BJP was down to 12 and the Congress to one seat.

“The party supremo has convened a meeting of our newly elected MPs on Saturday. During the meeting, the political situation will be discussed,” a TMC leader said.

Banerjee had walked out of the INDIA bloc in West Bengal in January but asserted that the TMC would continue to be part of the opposition alliance at the national level.