Nitish-Naidu Demand a Bundle, What Will Modi Do?
Arriving in the Indian capital Delhi, Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu, the two most important partners of the NDA coalition, have made a bundle of demands to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in exchange for their support to the BJP. In addition to a special package for their respective states, Nitish has asked for four ministerial positions and one deputy ministerial position for his party. Chandrababu Naidu hasn't fallen short either - he has demanded three ministerial positions and two deputy ministerial positions. Not only that, Chandrababu also wants the speaker's position.
Adding to BJP's troubles, several smaller parties in Bihar like Chirag Paswan's LJP, Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM, Apna Dal in Uttar Pradesh, and the Shiv Sena-led coalition in Maharashtra, have also prepared themselves to demand their share. Their goal is to pressurize BJP into taking on more ministerial positions.
Before the elections, there was an understanding between Nitish and BJP, assuring him of three ministerial positions in case of NDA's victory. However, due to circumstances and the lack of a majority, Nitish has now secured four ministerial positions from BJP.
According to Indian media sources, Nitish is primarily focused on ministry portfolios related to infrastructure, rural development, and water resources. It is known that after an economic and social review of the state in 2023, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced economic assistance of two lakh to nearly 95 lakh families lagging behind in the state. The state is facing elections next year, so Nitish has expressed his desire for the center to increase their share of the budget in the coming financial year through this five-year project.
On the other hand, Chandrababu's demand includes three ministerial positions and two deputy ministerial positions. Like Nitish, Chandrababu also wants to see his party's MPs in the ministries of water resources and rural development. The list also includes the Ministry of Road Transport. In addition, due to the economic pressure on the state caused by the division of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana, Naidu has been demanding a special economic package for nearly a decade.
It's worth mentioning that smaller parties like Chirag Paswan's LJP, which has won five seats in Bihar, also want one full ministerial position and one deputy ministerial position. Similarly, Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM has won one seat in the state and they too want one full ministerial position.
Moreover, Ek Nath Shinde's Shiv Sena has won seven seats in Maharashtra. They also desire one full ministerial and one deputy ministerial position.
Furthermore, there are contenders for ministerial positions from the RLSP of Uttar Pradesh, Anupriya Patel's Apna Dal, and JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy.
In the past, when the Modi government had a clear majority, these small parties were not given much importance by the BJP. Due to the circumstances, there seems to be no alternative for BJP but to accept the demands of small parties now, according to BJP leadership.
If these demands are not met, there is a fear within the Modi government of losing its majority. However, according to a BJP leader, "If even one of Nitish or Naidu decides to leave the coalition, there is no fear of losing the majority. But if both leave the NDA, then there will be trouble."
However, it remains to be seen how Modi will handle the situation, considering he has served the country for ten years as Chief Minister of Gujarat and subsequently as Prime Minister. The sweet problem of the coalition now poses a challenge for him.
On the other hand, Narendra Modi is going to take the oath as Prime Minister for the third time on Sunday. The leaders of the coalition have already supported him as the main leader. However, they are not waiting to see what will happen if their demands are not met.
So, how Modi deals with Nitish-Naidu is what everyone is eagerly waiting to see.
