NEW DELHI: Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi is expected to be sworn in as Indian Prime Minister for a third term on June 8, after key allies pledged their continued support a day after a humbling election verdict that saw his party lose its majority in parliament.
Meanwhile, India’s over 200 million Muslim population fear suppression under Narendra Modi’s Hindu extremist regime. The apprehensions follow a recent election verdict that saw Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lose its majority in parliament, necessitating the support of regional allies to form a government.
With over 200 million Muslims in India expressing fears of heightened marginalization under Modi’s Hindu nationalist agenda, the impending government formation raises questions about the future of minority rights and religious freedoms in the country.
Modi’s reliance on regional allies, whose support has fluctuated over the years, adds complexity to the government’s reform agenda, particularly amidst a political landscape shaped by divergent interests and priorities.
Key allies within Modi’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition, including the Telugu Desam Party and the Janata Dal (United), have reaffirmed their commitment to the alliance.
The federal cabinet’s recommendation for the dissolution of parliament, a procedural step preceding the formation of a new government, sets the stage for Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, expected to take place on Saturday, according to local media reports.
While the NDA secured 293 seats in the 543-member lower house of parliament, granting a majority, Modi’s BJP suffered setbacks, winning 240 seats independently. The reduced mandate poses challenges to the government’s reform agenda, particularly in rural areas where the party experienced significant losses.
Despite concerns over the BJP’s weakened electoral performance, analysts anticipate a degree of policy continuity under Modi’s leadership.
Modi’s victory in Varanasi, though less resounding compared to previous elections, does not necessarily signal reform paralysis, according to government finance panel chairman Arvind Panagariya. Panagariya emphasizes the feasibility of necessary reforms to sustain economic growth and strengthen the government’s position in the years ahead.
Meanwhile, the opposition INDIA alliance, led by Rahul Gandhi’s Congress party, performed better than expected, winning 230 seats. Congress alone secured 99 seats, marking a significant increase from previous elections and enhancing Gandhi’s political stature.
