President Murmu Feeds ‘Dahi-Cheeni’ To Modi As He Stakes Claim To Form Govt

New Delhi: Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu on Friday and staked claim to form the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre.

The President fed ‘dahi-cheeni’ (sweet curd) — a traditional good luck blessing — to Modi and invited him to form the government at the Centre.

The 73-year-old Modi will be sworn on June 9 as India’s Prime Minister for a third successive term, matching the feat of India’s first PM Jawaharlal Nehru.

“This is the first election after Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav… For the third time, the NDA government has been given a chance by the people to serve to country… I assure the people of the country that in the last two terms, the speed with which the country has moved forward, change is visible in every sector and for 25 crore people to move out of poverty is a proud moment for every Indiaṇ,” Modi said in his address after meeting the president.

Earlier in the day, Modi was formally elected as leader of the NDA as he received support from Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu, Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy.

For the first time under his leadership at the Centre, BJP failed to get a majority of its own as it won 240 seats out of 543. However, thanks to the performance of the saffron party’s allies, NDA qualified to form the government with 293 seats in all.

Addressing the meeting of the NDA Parliamentary Party, Modi said people know they will deliver.

“There were efforts to not acknowledge this very victory, to cast a shadow of defeat on this victory. But all such efforts remained fruitless… Such things die very young, and it happened,” Modi said, taking a dig at the Opposition INDIA bloc, especially the Congress.

TDP chief Naidu hailed Modi as India’s ‘right leader at the right time’.

“This is a very good opportunity for India. If you miss now, you will miss forever. That is why we are having a wonderful opportunity today,” Naidu said.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said he was confident that Modi will develop India.

“We will wholeheartedly support him every passing day. All the pending works of Bihar will be done. It is a very good thing that all of us have come together and we will all work together with you. … we will all work under your leadership,” stated Nitish.

Modi visited BJP veterans Lal Krishna Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi after the NDA meeting.

“Went to Advani Ji’s residence and sought his blessings. Every @BJP4India Karyakarta is inspired by Advani Ji’s monumental efforts to strengthen the Party,” Modi tweeted.

“Called on Dr Murli Manohar Joshi Ji. I have learnt so much from him when I was working in the Party organisation. He is greatly respected across India for his wisdom and knowledge,” Modi posted on X.