Agencies
New Delhi, May 25:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to meet President Ram Nath Kovind Saturday evening to stake a claim to form the new government, PTI reported. His meeting with the President is scheduled around 8 pm and before that leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would meet Kovind at around 7 pm.
Earlier in the day, President Kovind dissolved the 16th Lok Sabha with immediate effect on the recommendation of the Union cabinet. A communique issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said, “The President has accepted the advice of the Cabinet on 24.05.2019 and signed the Order dissolving the 16th Lok Sabha.”
The newly-elected NDA MPs have presently convened in the Central Hall of Parliament to formally elect Narendra Modi as their leader for another term and thereby allowing him to approach the President to stake claim to form the government. Modi is likely to address the newly-elected MPs. Sources indicated that the swearing-in ceremony is likely to take place on May 30 but an official confirmation is awaited.
On Friday, Prime Minister Modi met President Kovind and handed over his resignation, which was accepted. He also chaired the last Cabinet meeting which was followed by a meeting of the Union Council of Ministers at the Parliament Annexe building. The ministers passed a resolution thanking Modi for leading the coalition to a massive win.
The BJP emerged a clear winner, bagging 303 in the 543-member Lok Sabha. In the outgoing Lok Sabha, the BJP had 282 seats. The NDA won 352 seats.
Meanwhile, Modi will visit Gujarat to seek the blessings of his mother Hiraba on Sunday. Taking to Twitter, he announced, Will be going to Gujarat tomorrow evening, to seek blessings of my Mother. Day after tomorrow morning, I will be in Kashi to thank the people of this great land for reposing their faith in me.”
