NEW DELHI: As the NDA government completes 12 years and Prime Minister Narendra Modi surpasses Jawaharlal Nehru's record for the longest unbroken tenure as an elected head of government, leading members of the alliance will gather on Wednesday to mark both milestones. The occasion is turning more celebratory for them as the rival INDIA bloc weakens amid an implosion in the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Gathering of Allies
Nearly 75 representatives from about 35 parties are expected to meet, with the achievements of the government coupled with Modi's own milestone likely to dominate the proceedings and the resolution, informed sources said. Chief ministers of all 22 NDA-governed states and union territories are expected to attend the meeting, where the prime minister will also be present.
Context of the Conclave
The conclave comes days after 23 opposition leaders met under the aegis of the INDIA bloc, and the difference in mood and context of the two gatherings of the country's principal political poles could not have been starker.
Global Congratulations
Several heads of government on Tuesday congratulated Modi. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the milestone is a testament to the “trust and confidence that the people of the world’s largest democracy have repeatedly placed in his leadership.” Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape and Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar lauded Modi as “a role model and an example of leadership” and said India has emerged as a “leading voice on global matters.”
Economic Growth
Despite global headwinds, India has remained the largest growing major economy, BJP President Nitin Nabin said, days after official data showed that the economy grew at an impressive 7.7% in the last fiscal year.
Parliamentary Dynamics
Amid clear signs of a split in the TMC and rebel Lok Sabha MPs veering to support the government, the NDA is now preparing to undo the debacle that a united opposition inflicted on it in Parliament’s last session by defeating its bid to amend the women’s reservation law. The NDA's braintrust believes that the numbers will sooner or later align favorably for the required two-thirds majority.
