Modi's third term without complete control; strength of opposition to be reflected in proceedings of Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI: The complete control of the government will not be in the hands of BJP and Narendra Modi this time since there is no absolute majority. The positions of TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar will have to be sought in all matters. Allies like the single-member Hindu Awami Morcha will also gain strength. In the 2014 and 2019 elections, the BJP was in full control of the government as it got a single majority. All the ministries were implementing the decisions of the Prime Minister's office in the last two governments. With key departments having to be left to constituent parties, it remains to be seen how effective the dominance of the Prime Minister's office will be. Implementing Hindutva agendas will not be easy.

Nitish Kumar, a socialist with a secular stance, will become a headache. It remains to be seen whether the BJP, which has not clarified its stand on the caste census, will yield to Nitish's comments advocating for it. Nitish, who is used to jumping on the bandwagon, left the front in 2013 in protest against Modi becoming the Prime Minister. Nitish came back in 2017 and left again in 2022. This time, Nitish returned just before the Lok Sabha elections.

The TDP, which was part of the first NDA government, left the front in 2018 over the denial of special status to Andhra Pradesh and moved a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha along with the Congress and opposition parties. At the same time, the BJP has a habit of splitting its allies, draining their power and consolidating its own position. It is history that after BJP parted ways with the long-standing relationship Shiv Sena, they came to power in Maharashtra by splitting the same Shiv Sena.

In 2020, the Akali Dal, an ally in Punjab, left the front over controversial farm laws. The change in the strength of parties in the 18th Lok Sabha will also be a challenge. Bills were passed almost unilaterally in the last Lok Sabha with brute majority and outside support from BJD and YSR Congress parties. This time, the strength of the opposition under the leadership of the Congress, which has won 99 seats, will be reflected in the proceedings of the Lok Sabha