Plum portfolios, Cabinet berths: TDP, JD(U) press their demands ahead of NDA govt formation

According to various reports, TDP is negotiating for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker keeping the Speaker’s crucial role in view of the anti-defection law.

As the modalities of government formation take shape, allies of the National Democratic alliance are busy trying to consolidate their share of 'cabinet bargain'.

The NDA leaders had on June 5 unanimously elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead the alliance. Latest reports suggest that Modi will be taking oath as the Prime Minister of India for the third-time on June 9, Sunday.

Meanwhile, the BJP will hold a meeting with all NDA-ruled state chief ministers and MPs later today.

Speaking to News18, sources revealed that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which won 16 seats in the Lok Sabha Election 2024, hopes to secure at least two Cabinet berths in the new government. Naidu is likely to leave for Delhi early on Friday morning, ahead of Narendra Modi’s third swearing-in as Prime Minister.

News18 has learnt that the TDP wishes for at least 3-4 berths in the Union Cabinet – they had one minister and one MoS in earlier term with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with same number of 16 seats as now. The Minister of Civil Aviation and Minister of State IT was earlier from the TDP till the party pulled out of the NDA government in 2018. Now, MoS Finance is expected to be a key post for the TDP, plus two-three other full ministries, which helps in the development of Andhra Pradesh, sources said.

Replying to a question on issues that need deliberation among alliance partners, JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said: "A section of voters has been upset over the Agniveer scheme. Our party wants those shortcomings which have been questioned by the public to be discussed in detail and removed...On UCC, as the national president of the party, CM had written to the Law Commission chief. We are not against it but a solution should be found by talking to all stakeholders."

News18 also reported that Ajit Pawar's NCP seeks changes to Maharashtra cabinet; also eyeing one berth at Centre.  Another key ally, Janata Dal (Secular), is reportedly eyeing a cabinet berth in the Modi 3.0.

BJP and JD(S) fought the Lok Sabha elections together as National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies in Karnataka, which has a total of 28 seats. BJP won 17 seats and JD(S) two. “We haven’t placed any specific demand, we will be a dignified ally,” party sources told CNN News18.

According to various reports, TDP is negotiating for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker keeping the Speaker’s crucial role in view of the anti-defection law.

The Speaker’s post move is likely to protect the alliance partners from any possible split in the future. Additionally, it is being speculated that Naidu might ask for more than two Cabinet berths from the saffron camp.

The JD(S) leadership is hoping that former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy will be given the agriculture or any other related portfolio as the party’s vote base is largely in rural areas, they added. Earlier on Wednesday, Kumaraswamy himself hinted that his party was interested in the Agriculture portfolio in the new NDA government.

In the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, the BJP could not get a majority on its own. However, BJP-led NDA secured 293 seats in the 543-member House, paving the way for Modi to take the oath for a third consecutive term.