Lok Sabha Speaker post, plum portfolios: What are the likely demands of JD(U), TDP from Modi?

Narendra Modi is poised to become India’s prime minister for a third time. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) unanimously chose him as the bloc’s leader at a meeting held at the PM’s official residence in Delhi on Wednesday (5 June).

Top NDA allies like Telugu Desam Party’s (TDP) Chandrababu Naidu and Janata Dal (United) or JD(U)’s Nitish Kumar marked their presence at the meeting. With this, speculations of TDP or JD(U) switching sides could be put to rest. An oath-taking ceremony for Modi is expected on Saturday, as per reports.

A day back, the 18th Lok Sabha results were released. The NDA surpassed the majority mark of 272, bagging 293 of the 543 parliamentary constituencies. However, the BJP’s tally fell to 240, as compared to 303 in 2019.

As per reports, the BJP-led NDA will stake a claim to form government at the Centre. For the saffron party to return to power, it needs the support of its allies, especially the JD(U) and TDP.

Now that they have greater leverage, both Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and TDP’s Naidu are expected to make a hard bargain with the BJP.

Here’s what they can demand.

JD(U)

Reports say Nitish’s JD(U) is eyeing the Lok Sabha Speaker post.

As per Indian Express sources, this is to “insulate” the party from a possible split in the future. The Speaker plays a big role as the “time and nature of the final decision” on the anti-defection law lies with them.

Nitish Kumar could also seek plum ministries for his party’s MPs. JD(U) reportedly wants about four to five Cabinet berths as the BJP is dependent on its allies more than ever to return to power.

Nitish Kumar’s party, which won 12 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, was reportedly promised three Cabinet berths and one minister of state (MoS) post before the elections.

“JD(U) is in a better bargaining position now. We are hoping to get at least four Cabinet berths. One more MoS post could be asked for,” a party leader told Hindustan Times (HT) on condition of anonymity.

According to him, the JD(U) is interested in portfolios such as railways, rural development, and water resources as it would give it sway to bring infrastructure projects for Bihar.

However, a JD(U) spokesperson has rebuffed reports that the party is keen on getting the Railway ministry. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, JD(U) leader Arvind Nishad called it “media gossip” while underscoring the work done by Nitish Kumar in the Railways during his tenure in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

He said the Bihar CM would take a final call, adding that “no one can deny anything to Nitish”.

Central funds for Nitish’s government’s Bihar Laghu Udhyami Yojana, early Assembly polls, and special status for the state are some other likely demands of the JD(U). A party leader told HT that the JD(U) will push for preponing Assembly elections in Bihar. The idea behind this is to capitalise on the favourable results for the JD(U) and NDA in the Lok Sabha polls. The alliance won 30 of the total 40 seats in Bihar.

Nitish Kumar’s party also seeks a national caste census. A caste survey was conducted in Bihar when he was in alliance with the RJD and Congress before leaving it to join NDA this January.

Speaking to NDTV, JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said, “We expect the new government to consider giving special category status to Bihar and conduct a nationwide caste census.” He stated that while the Nitish-led party’s support is “unconditional”, Bihar’s unemployment problem “will not end till Bihar gets special status”.

According to News18 sources, the JD(U) also backs the idea of a common minimum programme (CMP) to be adopted by the NDA government at the Centre. The CMP sets the policy, priorities and shared agenda of a coalition government or bloc.

Besides JD(U), Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) could also demand the Railways department, reported News18. If the HT source is to be believed, his party has been promised one position in the Union Cabinet and might also get a MoS post.

In a noteworthy performance, Chirag’s party, a part of NDA, has bagged all five seats it contested in Bihar.

ALSO READ: Who are BJP’s allies in NDA? What are the chances of them switching sides?

TDP

Naidu’s TDP made a spectacular comeback in Andhra Pradesh in both Assembly and Lok Sabha polls.

In fact, after the BJP, it is the second NDA ally to win most Lok Sabha seats – 16.

As per Indian Express, even TDP is coveting the post of Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Sources told the newspaper that Naidu could also demand Special Category Status (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh. It must be noted he had left the NDA over this issue in 2018.

News18 sources say Naidu will want a bigger share in the Central government this time. His party had one post in the Union Cabinet and one Minister of State (MoS) portfolio in the 2014 NDA government led by the BJP.

Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP swept the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh. PTI

The development of Amaravati as Andhra’s capital is also on the mind of TDP. Naidu is likely to ask for additional funds from the Centre for the same, along with financial assistance for the completion of the long-pending Polavaram project, as per Indian Express.

The TDP would also want key portfolios at the Centre for its leaders.

It remains to be seen how many demands of these key allies the BJP, which is the single largest party in these elections with 240 seats, would be able to accommodate.

With inputs from agencies