Modi 3.0: A New Era Begins with a Fresh Cabinet

Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the oath for his third consecutive term, marking a historic moment as he became only the second Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to achieve this feat. The grand ceremony, held on the lawns of Rashtrapati Bhavan, saw Modi and his coalition government’s 72 ministers being sworn in.

Of these 72 ministers, 30 are Cabinet Ministers, 5 hold independent charge, and 36 are Ministers of State. The specific portfolios for each minister will be announced later.

The weather in New Delhi matched the intensity of the event, with temperatures soaring to a predicted 42 degrees Celsius. Despite the heat, the ceremony was attended by several prominent leaders from India’s neighboring countries, including Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to Prime Minister Modi first, followed by key figures in his administration such as Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, and Nitin Gadkari. Other notable leaders who took the oath included JP Nadda, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nirmala Sitharaman, S Jaishankar, and Manohar Lal Khattar.

HD Kumaraswamy from the Janata Dal (Secular) was the first ally from the BJP’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to take the oath, signaling the coalition’s unified front. Following him, Lalan Singh from the Janata Dal (United), closely associated with Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, also took the oath.

From the northeastern states, Sarbananda Sonowal and Kiren Rijiju were sworn in, reflecting the government’s inclusive approach. Virendra Kumar, a significant Scheduled Castes leader and eight-time MP, joined the Cabinet, representing Madhya Pradesh’s Tikamgarh reserved seat.

The audience showed enthusiastic support, clapping and cheering as their leaders took the stage to be sworn in by the President. Jyotiraditya Scindia’s induction highlighted his growing significance in the BJP since his shift from the Congress four years ago. This marks his second term in the Union Cabinet.

Among the new faces, Hardeep Singh Puri stood out. The former diplomat played a crucial role in navigating India through two consecutive oil crises and brings his expertise to the Cabinet. Chirag Paswan, leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), also took the oath, reinforcing his position as his father Ram Vilas Paswan’s political successor and marking his comeback in Bihar’s dynamic political arena.

As Prime Minister Modi embarks on his third term, the newly formed Cabinet reflects a blend of experience and fresh perspectives. This new coalition government promises to navigate India through its next phase of growth and development, aiming to fulfill the expectations of its diverse populace.