NDA and INDIA Bloc Maneuvering Intensifies Over Government Formation: Two Key Meetings in Delhi Today

Lok Sabha election 2024
Following the surprising Lok Sabha election results, the INDIA bloc and the National Democratic Alliance have scheduled meetings with their
top leaders and allies to plan their next steps. The INDIA bloc meeting is set to take place in the national capital at around 6 PM today.

Lok Sabha election INDIA
The BJP fell significantly short of the majority mark, compelling it to depend on its allies. Meanwhile, the Opposition’s alliance exceeded expectations by winning more seats than anticipated, raising hopes of forming a government if it can persuade a few of the BJP’s allies to switch sides. On Tuesday, the INDIA group reportedly reached out to some of these leaders.

The BJP secured only 240 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, falling short of a simple majority by 32 seats. In contrast, the INDIA bloc, with over 230 seats, defied pollsters’ predictions that it would perform similarly to its constituents’ results in 2014 and 2019. This unexpected outcome has compelled the BJP to rely on allies like Nitish Kumar, N Chandrababu Naidu, and Eknath Shinde for government formation.

Lok Sabha election INDIA
The TDP, JD(U), Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Chirag Paswan-led LJP (Ram Vilas) have won 16, 12, seven, and five seats respectively, positioning them as crucial players in the formation of the next government.

N Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to hold a press conference in Delhi today, arriving in the national capital at 2:30 PM. According to HT sources, he is likely to back Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Following the poll results, Naidu congratulated PM Modi, stating, “Thank you, @narendramodi Ji! On behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh, I congratulate you on the NDA’s victory in the Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh Assembly Elections. The people of Andhra Pradesh have given us a remarkable mandate, reflecting their trust in our alliance and its vision for the state.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, known for his political flip-flops, will be in the national capital today. He is expected to attend the NDA meeting at Prime Minister Modi’s residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, at around 3:30 PM.

Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc will also hold a meeting in Delhi. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, whose DMK won 22 seats, will visit the national capital to attend this meeting, scheduled for 6 PM.

Delhi HC Directs Centre to Decide on AAP Office Space Allotment Within Six Weeks

Delhi HC Orders Centre to Decide on AAP Office Space Allotment Within Six Weeks: The Delhi High Court ruled on Wednesday that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is entitled to space for a party office in New Delhi, similar to other political parties. The court directed the Centre to make a decision on this matter within six weeks.

The Aam Aadmi Party is entitled to a house from the general pool. Mere pressure or non-availability is no reason to reject because pressure is always there and houses have always been allotted to political parties,” the court stated.

The Aam Aadmi Party is seeking allotment of space for its office by the Centre on account of it being recognized as a national party.

Considering that the AAP needs to vacate its current office in Rouse Avenue by June 15, the party’s counsel had argued that a unit on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, which is presently with one of its city ministers, ought to be temporarily allotted to it.

BJP clean sweeps Delhi again, wins all seven Lok Sabha seats

Delhi continues to be a stronghold for the BJP as the party secured a clean sweep in the national capital for the third consecutive Lok Sabha election, clinching all seven seats in the Union territory. This time around, the saffron party introduced six new candidates, with only Manoj Tiwari, now a three-term MP from the North East Delhi seat, being the sole repeat candidate from the previous 2019 national polls.