Narendra Modi Sworn In for Historic Third Term as India’s Prime Minister.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Manohar Lal Khattar were the fresh faces in the Modi Cabinet.
JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, HAM (Secular) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi, JD(U) leader Lalan Singh and TDP’s K Ram Mohan Naidu also took the oath of office as Ministers.
||Black and White Digital News||
||Tejveer Singh June 10, 2024 ||
NEW DELHI: In a momentous ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Narendra Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister of India for an unprecedented third consecutive term on Sunday. This achievement places him alongside Jawaharlal Nehru as the only other Prime Minister in Indian history to secure three straight terms. Modi, 73, took the oath in the name of God, underscoring the gravity and solemnity of the occasion.
Joining Modi in the Cabinet are senior BJP stalwarts Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, and S Jaishankar. Their inclusion signals Modi’s focus on stability and experience, as these leaders have been pivotal in his previous administration. This seasoned team is set to navigate the complexities of Indian politics as the nation embarks on this new chapter.
Modi’s Meteoric Rise and Unyielding Dominance…
Since his first foray into electoral politics as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001, Modi has reshaped the political landscape. His initial leadership in the 2002 Gujarat assembly polls, in the aftermath of the tragic Godhra train burning incident, was marred by controversy. Yet, defying his critics, Modi transformed adversity into a platform for unprecedented political ascent.
Over the years, Modi has crafted a unique political persona, merging Hindutva with a robust development agenda. This blend has proven to be a winning formula, leading the BJP to successive victories: in Gujarat (2002, 2007, 2012) and at the national level (2014, 2019). However, this term marks a significant shift as the BJP no longer holds an outright majority on its own, presenting Modi with fresh challenges.
Facing Formidable Opposition…
The Prime Minister enters his third term amid the most formidable opposition he has faced since taking office in 2014. The recent electoral setbacks in several states, particularly in the BJP stronghold of Uttar Pradesh where the SP-Congress alliance outperformed the BJP-led combine, have sparked debate about Modi’s political strategy and the BJP’s future direction.
Despite these challenges, Modi has remained unflinchingly confident. He has acknowledged the opposition’s victories but emphasized the BJP’s significant gains in other regions. Notably, the party’s near-total victory in the Lok Sabha polls in Odisha, its first-ever assembly majority in the state, the doubling of its MPs in Telangana, and breaking new ground in Kerala highlight Modi’s enduring appeal and the BJP’s expanding footprint.
A Third Term with New Horizons…
As Modi embarks on his third term, the BJP is optimistic that his leadership will continue to drive the party’s growth. With a blend of seasoned hands and innovative policies, Modi aims to balance the core tenets of Hindutva, development, and welfarism. His administration is poised to tackle imminent electoral battles, notably the assembly polls in Haryana and Maharashtra, where the BJP has recently faced setbacks.
Modi’s ability to navigate coalition politics, a new challenge in his illustrious career, will be crucial. His track record suggests a resilience and strategic acumen that have repeatedly confounded his detractors. The coming years will test his leadership in unprecedented ways, but Modi’s unyielding spirit and the BJP’s robust organization signal a readiness to meet these challenges head-on.
As the nation watches, Modi’s third term promises to be a defining period in Indian politics, with potential shifts in both domestic policies and India’s global standing. The Prime Minister’s journey from Gujarat to the pinnacle of Indian politics continues to be a testament to his formidable political prowess and unrelenting ambition.
