The exit polls have given a strong reason for the Bharatiya Janata Party to cheer. Even as the opposition parties are worried about the safety of the EVMs, and organised a joint march to the election commission, the ruling BJP is in a celebratory mode. The saffron party on Tuesday organised a thanksgiving meeting for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led cabinet, followed by a meeting of the NDA allies over dinner at the state-run five star hotel, The Ashok. Both the invitations were sent out by the party chief Amit Shah.
Going by the exit polls, and assertions by Modi and Shah, that the NDA will secure over 300 seats, the two functions also mark the culmination of five-year tenure of the Modi government, and set in motion the plans for the new government.
While the thanksgiving meeting for the Union cabinet for their “service to the nation” is an organisational exercise, the NDA meeting comes with a political message. The BJP would need its allies much more if the numbers were to fall short after the counting on May 23. The party would like quick public assertion of support from allies in such an eventuality, and proper coordination when the saffron party would stake claim to form the government.
Senior party leaders from all the allies participated including Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena, Akali Dal's Prakash Singh Badal, LJP's Ramvilas Paswan and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
After the dinner, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, "a resolution was passed which asserted that the NDA government has promised to spend Rs 100 lakh crore for infrastructure, Rs 25 lakh crore for agriculture and rural areas... concerns were also expressed over the way institutions like the CAG, Election Commission and the Supreme Court were attacked by the opposition."
Apart from Modi and Shah, Badal, Rajnath and Nitish Kumar also spoke at the dinner. In all, 36 parties participated in the meeting, while three parties could not send their representatives.
Modi said these elections were like a pilgrimage for him and added that the alliance should be strengthened.
Modi said the NDA alliance was best suited to represent the diversity of the country and address the regional aspirations. All NDA leaders present expressed their solidarity and endorsed Modi's leadership.
The number game will be a crucial factor after the results are declared. If the opposition does well and the NDA fall short of numbers, it may need other parties support. Moreover, even if the BJP gets full majority on its own, it will include NDA allies in the government as it had done in 2014. Shah had made it clear that even if the BJP gets full majority, it will welcome more allies to its fold who believe in the policies of the NDA government.
At the thanksgiving meeting, Shah and Modi thanked his colleagues for successfully running the government and making it possible for delivery of services to the poor.
After the elections results are officially announced by the Election Commission, the Union cabinet will meet again to formally recommend the dissolution of the current Lok Sabha, and calling a special session for oath taking of members for the 17th Lok Sabha.
The party has already made arrangements for the counting day. Tents have been set up for the party leaders and spokespersons to speak to the media as it will be present in full strength to seek reactions. Modi is expected to arrive at the party headquarters after the results are fully clear.
