Modi-led alliance says it will form next Indian government

AFP |  New Delhi, India

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The party of Narendra Modi agreed with allies yesterday to form a government after a general election in which it failed to secure an outright majority for the first time in a decade.

The 15-member National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition -- led by Modi’s right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -- has 293 seats in parliament, giving it control of the legislature.

“We all unanimously choose respected NDA leader Narendra Modi as our leader,” a BJP-issued alliance statement said.

It said the NDA government would “preserve India’s heritage” and work for the “allround development of the country”.

Analysts said Modi’s reliance on coalition partners means he faces the prospect of a far tougher-than-expected third term.

Indian m e d i a reports s a i d Modi would be sworn in as prime minister on Saturday. China congratulated Modi earlier on Wednesday and said it was “ready to work” with its neighbour, while Japan also applauded the win.

“Congratulations t o Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the National Democratic Alliance on their victory, and the nearly 650 million voters in this historic election,” President Joe Biden wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“The friendship between our nations is only growing as we unlock a shared future of unlimited potential.”