Sources said the share of allies in the govt will be finalised in consultations which are likely to start in earnest after Modi is elected leader of the NDA parliamentary party on Friday afternoon.The build-up to govt formation has been marked by speculation about allies claiming important portfolios and seeking to secure representation keeping with the cruciality of their support to BJP. The buzz has persisted despite insistence by these players that they were not engaged in muscle-flexing.
However, sources close to BJP as well as the two most significant allies — TDP and JD(U) — said no discussion on portfolios and size of their share had taken place yet. “It is going to be the prime minister’s call,” a BJP source said.
Meanwhile, official sources said Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu had accepted India’s invite to attend the swearing in. Muizzu is in addition to a cast of leaders from South Asia who would be present — Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Nepalese PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
Bilateral ties with Maldives have nosedived under Muizzu, who is considered close to China, although he was among the first foreign leaders to congratulate Modi for winning a record-equalling third term.
BJP president J P Nadda, defence minister Rajnath Singh and home minister Amit Shah also held consultations with RSS leaders including general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale and senior functionary Suresh Soni, who is seen as an important voice.
There were strong indications that the swearing-in may now be held on Sunday instead of Saturday. Authorities were keeping both options open and preparations at Rashtrapati Bhavan have been made accordingly.
Amid speculative reports on TV channels that TDP was asking for the post of Speaker, party sources said they had set no such condition. “Even in the case of our leader, late G M C Balayogi who served as Speaker for five years beginning 1999, it was the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had prevailed over N Chandrababu Naidu to nominate someone from TDP for the constitutional position,” a senior source said.
“We have made no demand for any ministry either,” he added.