NEW DELHI: As the country braces for another mandate with Lok Sabha poll results coming on Tuesday, bringing an end to a marathon polling exercise stretching over 80 days, BJP brass and NDA functionaries, buoyed by the predictions of exit polls, held several rounds of meetings amid indications that the leadership would like to finish the job of govt formation this week itself if results extend PM Narendra Modi’s term.
While the PM remained engaged with his official chores, senior BJP leaders Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and J P Nadda held a nearly 90-minute-long meeting to discuss political issues; especially what party sources termed the deliberate effort by Congress and others in the opposition to delegitimise Modi’s record-equalling win.
The day also saw JD(U) president and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar calling on Modi and holding a 30-minute meeting. Kumar held a meeting with his party leaders too.
Sources said the Union cabinet will hold its last meeting on Wednesday morning, a day after the poll results, after which ministers will resign, paving the way for formation of the next govt.
Sources also said the cabinet will pass a proposal endorsing the Modi govt’s performance in the past 10 years, setting narratives like “politics of performance” and “last mile delivery”, and highlighting the execution of welfare schemes like Kisan Samman Nidhi, PM Awas Yojna, free ration scheme, Ayushman Bharat health insurance cover, free LPG connections and other development initiatives.
The cabinet proposal is likely to make special mention also of abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya and banning the practice of triple talaq, besides introduction of the new criminal justice system.
Hopeful of a landslide, preparations are also on for celebrations, including the possibility of a march led by the PM, to be capped by Modi’s customary victory speech.