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The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has emerged victorious in the recently concluded Lok Sabha Elections 2024, securing 293 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the leading party in the NDA, fell short of the majority mark of 272 seats, winning 240 seats. This has left the saffron party seeking support from two of its key allies - Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United), who together have won 28 Lok Sabha seats.
With the NDA's majority dependent on the support of Naidu and Kumar, the two leaders are in a strong position to negotiate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for concessions in return for their support. Naidu, who has emerged as a key player in Andhra Pradesh politics after leading the TDP to a resounding victory in both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, may seek a significant cabinet berth, possibly even the removal of Union Home Minister Amit Shah from Modi's cabinet.
Nitish Kumar, on the other hand, may use his newfound leverage to ask for the unthinkable, such as a Deputy Prime Minister's position at the Centre or an assurance from the BJP leadership that his government in Bihar will not be disturbed. The two leaders may also press for the post of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, as reported by the Indian Express. Regardless of the specific demands made by Naidu and Kumar, it is clear that they will force Modi 3.0 to relook at its policies and decisions for the NDA government to survive.
Source: Lok Sabha Election results 2024: What if Naidu, Nitish ask for the unthinkable from Modi 3.0?