Union Cabinet recommends dissolution of 17th Lok Sabha, PM Modi likely to be sworn in for third term on June 8

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recommended the dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha on Wednesday, a day after the general election results were announced. The term of the 17th Lok Sabha ends on June 16.

PM Modi is likely to be sworn in for a third term on June 8. Key allies of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have pledged their support to the party after it fell short of a majority in parliament.

The BJP won 240 seats, significantly lower than the 303 seats it won in 2019 and the 282 seats it won in 2014. For the first time since 2014, the party fell short of the 272 majority mark by 32 seats.

On the other hand, the Congress saw its tally increase from 52 to 99 seats, with the party-led INDIA bloc crossing 230, defying exit poll predictions.

Both the NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc are scheduled to hold meetings in the national capital on Wednesday to strategize their future course of action.

Despite the setback, PM Modi sounded optimistic. “This is the victory of the world’s largest democracy,” he declared at BJP headquarters. “We’re forming the government for the third time, pursuing our vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’.”

(With inputs from agencies)