Lok Sabha Dissolution: On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the last meeting of the outgoing Union cabinet, recommending the dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha. This significant move sets in motion the process for the formation of the next government, following the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) securing a narrow majority in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
Immediately after the cabinet meeting, PM Modi drove to Rashtrapati Bhavan to meet with President Droupadi Murmu. During the visit, he tendered his resignation along with the resignation of the Council of Ministers. The President accepted their resignations and requested that PM Modi and the current Council of Ministers continue their duties until the new government assumes office.
According to a statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Droupadi Murmu today to submit his resignation along with that of the Council of Ministers. The President accepted their resignations and requested that they continue to serve until the new government is formed and takes office.
The cabinet meeting, held at the prime minister’s residence around 11:30 am, was pivotal as the current term of the 17th Lok Sabha is set to end on June 16.
With the NDA holding 293 seats, it surpasses the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha. However, the BJP, having won 240 seats, fell short of the halfway mark for the first time since 2014 and is thus dependent on its allies to form the government. Key allies include Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), Maharashtra CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, and N Chandrababu Naidu, head of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
These leaders have already arrived in New Delhi for the NDA meeting scheduled later in the day. Their support is crucial, with the TDP winning 16 seats (and its partner Jana Sena adding two more), JD(U) securing 12, and Shiv Sena obtaining 7. Collectively, their 37 seats, combined with the BJP’s 240, ensure a comfortable majority for the NDA.
Concurrently, the Opposition’s INDIA bloc, which surprisingly won 233 seats despite pessimistic exit polls, will also be meeting, adding to the dynamic political scenario.
As the nation anticipates the formation of the new government, PM Modi’s strategic consultations and coalition-building efforts are set to play a crucial role in shaping India’s political future for the coming term.
