In a few more hours, Narendra Modi will take the oath as the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive term. Modi is the only second Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to occupy the coveted seat three times. The NDA alliance termed this tenure as Modi 3.0 after it won the Loksabha elections with the support of regional parties like TDP, Janasena and JDU.
Reports suggest that Modi 3.0 will have 30 council of ministers holding different portfolios. While the BJP is likely to retain some of the crucial ministries like Home, Finance, Education and Foreign Affairs, the NDA allies are jostling for Railways Ministry. Both the TDP-JSP combine and JDU are very particular about clinching the railway ministry in the cabinet as they have extended unconditional support towards the NDA alliance in forming the government.
Telugu Desam Party MP’s Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, who won from Srikakulam and Guntur respectively, are most likely to feature in Modi’s cabinet. Though the portfolios are not yet known, it is heard that Ram Mohan Naidu will be given a cabinet berth and Pemmasani will be given MoS.
There is no clarity yet on Janasena’s representation in the cabinet. Machilipatnam MP Balasouri is the forerunner to make the cut. Andhra Pradesh BJP MPs Purandeswari and CM Ramesh are also in the race for MoS under any of the notable portfolios.
It is known fact that TDP and Janasena won 18 Loksabha seats in the 2024 elections. Chandra Babu Naidu turned out to be the kingmaker at the centre. As per reports, he and Pawan Kalyan have sought centre’s intervention and support for the development of Andhra Pradesh on various fronts.