As Narendra Modi is heading to form a government for the third term, NDA allies play a very crucial role. The TDP and JD(U) allies have already made their demands aiming at plum posts. Reportedly, the BJP is likely to keep the key ministries and roles to itself.
The BJP bagged 240 seats, 32 short of an absolute majority. The support of allies including N. Chandrababu Naidu's TDP, which has won 16 seats, Nitish Kumar's JD(U), which has one 12 seats and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena (7) and Chirag Paswan's Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (5), are crucial for the NDA government.
Reportedly, TDP had sought for Lok Sabha Speaker's post and six ministerial posts, while JD(U) two key ministerial posts, special status for Bihar and scrapping of the Agniveer scheme.
According to BJP sources, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Defence, Finance and External Affairs is not likely to be accommodating the allies. Even critical portfolios like transport and highways are also likely to be retained by the party.
Led by Nitin Gadkari, the roads and highways across the country have been developed and also fetched much appreciation from the government. It is highly unlikely that the party will compromise with the achieved success so far.
Will BJP revisit the Agniveer scheme?
JD(U) spokesperson K.C. Tyagi had demanded the central government revisit its Agniveer scheme that has upset a section of the voters.
"A section of the voters has been upset over Agniveer scheme...Our party wants those shortcomings which have been questioned by the public to be discussed in detail and removed," said Tyagi.
While on the Uniform Civil Code, Tyagi said that JD(U) was not against it. "CM had written to the Law Commission chief...we are not against it but a solution should be found by talking to all stakeholders," he said.
Nitish Kumar is likely to hold a meeting with all the JD(U) MPs on Friday to discuss the issues.