Modi Sworn In for Third Term As Opposition Gains Fresh Strength

Narendra Modi was sworn in for an unprecedented third term as India's Prime Minister amidst a resurgent opposition, vowing to govern without "fear or favour" while relying on allies for a majority.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was finally formally re-elected for an unprecedented third straight term on Monday in the grand inauguration ceremony held in the presidential residence in New Delhi. Tens of thousands of people were present during the ceremony where Modi was sworn in as the prime minister, pledging to uphold the constitution in the process and to “do right to all manner of people. ”

The BJP under Modi and his NDA coalition government got 293 seats in the general elections and even though it cleared the 272 majority mark, it was far from the lofty exit polls figures. The INDIA alliance, which was in opposition, took 234 seats, an improvement over the previous years when the BJP had a stranglehold on power.

“I will uphold the Constitution and the law without regard to the classes or categories of people or the class or category to which I belong or any influence, pressure or inducement,” Modi pledged in his inaugural speech while being sworn in by President Draupadi Murmu. A new council of ministers was also formed which was headed by the former Prime Minister.

Modi, now 73 years of age, is just the second Indian prime minister after Nehru to win three successive terms. Nevertheless, his BJP in the center lost its parliamentary majority, for which he needed support from regional parties such as the Telugu Desam Party and Janata Dal (United) to stake the government.

Though the exit polls sprung a comprehensive victory for the BJP, the thin margin has brought the INDIA alliance led by the Congress back in the contest. They have described the outcome as a ‘mandate against’ Modi-led administration, which has been accused of various vices including hate speech and persecution of the minorities in the course of the polls.

Modi, however, rejected this narrative, stating: ”They tried to make people believe that we lost the 2024 Lok Sabha results, No, we did not lose; we never lost and we will never lose,” he said and vowed to focus on implementing policies that enhance the living standards of the poor and middle income earners while eradicating corruption and poverty.

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Since Modi begins his third term, this seems to be the time when the opposition becomes more assertive while the alliance partners may have different expectations. People are now waiting to see the new cabinet of his choosing and his policy compass for the next five years.