Focus on Naidu & Nitish as top NDA leaders discuss government formation

TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu is eyeing key portfolios

All eyes were on TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar on Wednesday as senior NDA leaders met in New Delhi to discuss formation of a new government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sources said that the leaders were expected to bargain for plum positions in the new Union Cabinet as well as a common minimum programme.

Besides Naidu and Nitish, LJP (RV) leader Chirag Paswan and Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde were also part of the meeting. However, NCP's Ajit Pawar skipped the talks.

The meeting comes a day after the ruling coalition won a majority in the Lok Sabha election which paved the way for a third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, BJP failed to win a majority in Lok Sabha and is critically dependent on allies to stay in power.

The TDP, JD(U), Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the LJP (Ram Vilas) have won 16, 12, seven and five seats respectively and will play a crucial role in the government formation.

Sources said National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders are expected to formally repose their faith in Modi's leadership and that MPs of the coalition's constituents may meet in a couple of days to elect him as their leader.

Earlier today, PM Modi and his council of ministers tendered their resignation to the President. Sources said that Modi is likely to take oath for the third time on June 8.