Yechury highlighted the significance of the BJP’s setback, noting that Modi was sworn in as an NDA Prime Minister, not solely as a BJP Prime Minister…reports Asian Lite News
Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury remarked that the reduced numbers of the BJP in the Lok Sabha mean Parliament can no longer be bulldozed. In an interview with PTI, Yechury noted that most opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc, except Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, did not attend the swearing-in ceremony as they did not receive invitations.
Yechury highlighted the significance of the BJP’s setback, noting that Modi was sworn in as an NDA Prime Minister, not solely as a BJP Prime Minister. He emphasized the BJP’s failure to achieve its campaign goal of securing over 400 seats, instead winning 240 seats—63 less than their previous tally.
Yechury compared Modi’s third-term swearing-in unfavorably to Nehru’s, stating that unlike Nehru, Modi’s position relies on an alliance rather than a single party. He criticized Modi’s moral authority to claim the Prime Ministership for a third term, citing the BJP’s diminished mandate and the strengthened opposition.
Regarding the opposition INDIA bloc, Yechury observed that their substantial gains mean Parliament will now see more robust debate and defense of public interests, contrasting with the previous ten years under Modi. He attributed the election results partly to significant public protests, such as the farmers’ agitation and anti-CAA-NRC demonstrations.
Yechury mentioned that there is a sentiment among the INDIA bloc and the public that Modi does not deserve to be Prime Minister. However, he acknowledged that Modi, as the leader of the single largest party and the largest pre-poll alliance, was naturally called by the President to form the government. The true test of the government’s majority will come during confidence votes in Parliament.
In the recent Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured 240 seats, and with allies, totaled 293 seats. The INDIA bloc holds 234 seats. Modi was sworn in for his third term as Prime Minister on Sunday after being chosen as the Leader of the NDA.
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