Modi Sworn in for Unprecedented Third Term as India’s Prime Minister

Photo : AP

NEW DELHI — Narendra Modi, the 73-year-old leader known for his strong but divisive leadership, was inaugurated on Sunday for an unprecedented third consecutive term as India's Prime Minister. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the grand Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace in New Delhi, where Modi and his Cabinet members took their oaths of office, administered by President Droupadi Murmu.

Modi's victory comes amid a surprising electoral outcome where his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), despite its popularity, failed to secure a parliamentary majority in the recent national election. The BJP, which had previously won resounding victories in 2014 and 2019, found itself reliant on coalition partners to form a government this time around. However, Modi's National Democratic Alliance (NDA) managed to clinch enough seats collectively to maintain governance, ensuring Modi's continuation at the country's helm.

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This marks a significant shift for the BJP, as it's the first time under Modi's leadership that the party has needed support from regional allies to establish a government, breaking a decade-long streak of parliamentary dominance. Despite securing a strong position with 240 seats, falling short of the 272 required for a majority, the NDA coalition, comprising various regional parties, secured a total of 293 seats in the 543-member lower house of Parliament.

Crucially, Modi's coalition now heavily relies on support from key regional allies such as the Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh and the Janata Dal (United) in Bihar to sustain its power.

In contrast, Modi's political opponent, the INDIA alliance led by the Congress party, mounted a notable challenge, doubling its seat count from the previous election to secure 232 seats. Despite Modi's reputation as a Hindu nationalist and his significant support among India's Hindu majority, concerns persist regarding his governance. Critics accuse him of eroding India's democratic principles and secular values, citing instances of violence against minorities, particularly Muslims, and a shrinking space for dissent and free expression.

While Modi's supporters commend his efforts in bolstering India's economy and enhancing its global stature, detractors point to persistent issues such as high unemployment and growing economic inequality, questioning the government's overall performance.

The swearing-in ceremony drew attention from across South Asia, with several regional leaders in attendance, including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu. The presence of Muizzu, in particular, underscored recent tensions between India and the Maldives, exacerbated by the latter's shift towards closer ties with China and the removal of Indian troops from a strategic islet, signaling a recalibration of diplomatic relations in the region.

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