BJP will not want to let go of these four ministries, how will it reach a deal with TDP-JDU on Modi 3.0 cabinet?

New Delhi: The way BJP fell short of majority in the final results of Lok Sabha elections, the allies of NDA have increased their demands regarding ministries. TDP, JDU and other allies of NDA are eyeing important posts in the Union Cabinet. According to sources, in the initial discussions, BJP has staked its claim on the Ministry of Defense, Finance Department, Home and Foreign Ministry. Both TDP and JDU have demanded the post of Speaker, but reportedly BJP does not seem ready for this.

JDU-TDP put forward their demand

In the election results, Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP and Nitish Kumar’s JDU have emerged as major players in the NDA. Taking advantage of this, they have demanded important posts in the Union Cabinet. On the other hand, the new government to be formed under the leadership of Modi will not want to give important ministries to its allies easily. According to sources, TDP and JDU, which have 16 and 12 seats respectively in the Lok Sabha, have placed the demand for their favorite ministries in front of the BJP high command. Not only this, their eyes are fixed on their favorite ministries. On the basis of initial discussions, the allies are demanding one minister for every four MPs.

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How will Narendra Modi please everyone?

Reportedly, the TDP is demanding four cabinet posts, while the JDU is demanding three ministers. Additionally, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena with 7 seats and Chirag Paswan’s LJP with five seats are expected to get two ministries each. Chandrababu Naidu is also eyeing the Lok Sabha Speaker’s post, but the BJP does not seem to be willing to accept this demand. The TDP may also demand the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

BJP will keep defence, finance, home and foreign affairs in its hands!

With the BJP getting 240 seats, 32 seats short of a majority, the role of these allies is crucial for Modi 3.0. The TDP, JDU, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) together have 40 MPs. In the last two cabinets led by Prime Minister Modi, where the BJP alone crossed the majority mark, the NDA allies could not capture key cabinet posts. However, the BJP did not get a clear majority in the 2024 results. As a result, the number of ministers from the BJP quota in the Council of Ministers may decrease and the number of ministers from the allies will increase. However, it is unlikely that the BJP will compromise on key ministries. Apart from defense, finance, home and foreign affairs, the BJP would also like to retain ministries related to infrastructure development, welfare, youth affairs and agriculture.

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Trying to keep the rail and road with you

Additionally, the BJP claims that major reforms have been carried out in railways and road transport etc. under the previous NDA governments. The party does not want to slow down the pace of reforms by giving these to allies. Sources said that railways has traditionally been with the allies and the BJP brought it back under its control after a lot of effort. The BJP may consider giving the Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Ministry to the JDU, while departments like civil aviation and steel may be given to the TDP. The charge of heavy industries may be given to the Shiv Sena.

TDP-JDU can get these ministries

Sources associated with the discussions said that NDA allies can be appointed ministers of state in important ministries like Finance and Defense. Other ministries like Tourism, MSME, Skill Development, Science and Technology and Social Justice and Empowerment are also likely to be handed over to allies. If Chandrababu Naidu continues to insist on the post of Lok Sabha Speaker, then BJP can try to persuade him/her by offering him/her the post of Deputy Speaker. At present, the final decision is expected soon.