Narendra Modi is set to be sworn in for a third consecutive term as Prime Minister today at 7:15 PM at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This marks a significant milestone as he equals Jawaharlal Nehru’s record of three straight terms. Unlike his previous tenures, Modi will now lead a coalition government, with the BJP securing 240 seats and the NDA 293 in the Lok Sabha elections, short of a majority. Top BJP and NDA leaders, including Amit Shah and Nitin Gadkari, will join Modi’s cabinet. The event will see attendance from leaders of neighboring countries and diverse Indian communities.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's oath-taking ceremony today after consulting with INDIA bloc partners. Held at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7:15 PM, the ceremony will see President Droupadi Murmu administer the oath to Modi and his ministers. Despite the decision by Kharge, Trinamool Congress, another INDIA bloc member, has opted not to attend the event. Earlier, the Congress Working Committee proposed Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, with Sonia Gandhi accepting the role of Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson.

In a major political shakeup, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief Naveen Patnaik's close aide, V K Pandian, has quit active politics following the party's defeat in Odisha's Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The BJP ended BJD’s 24-year rule by securing 78 seats in the 147-member assembly, while BJD won 51, Congress 14, CPI (M) one, and Independents three. The BJP also swept all 20 Lok Sabha seats in the state, with Congress taking one. Pandian, absent from public view since the defeat, did not join Patnaik during the resignation submission or the subsequent party meeting. Patnaik defended Pandian, calling criticism against him “unfortunate” and praising his “excellent job.”

Several NDA leaders, including Chirag Paswan, Piyush Goyal, S Jaishankar, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and HD Kumaraswamy, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence ahead of his evening swearing-in ceremony. During the meeting at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, Modi emphasized the immediate implementation of the 100-day action plan and urged his colleagues to expedite pending departmental projects. He outlined a five-year roadmap and stressed the goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. The meeting highlighted the government's commitment to swift and decisive action in its upcoming term.

Sofia Firdous, a former real estate developer, entered politics unexpectedly after her father, Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim, couldn't contest due to a conviction. With only a month before the Odisha Assembly elections, Firdous became the Congress candidate. Despite her novice status, she won, defeating the BJP's candidate by 8,001 votes. Her victory is notable as she becomes the state's first woman Muslim MLA. Firdous credited her success to her father's groundwork and the strong support from local residents, who unanimously endorsed her candidacy in recognition of her family's contributions to Cuttack.

Rashtrapati Bhavan gears up for Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for Sunday at 7:15 pm. Approximately 9,000 guests, including heads of neighboring countries, are expected to attend. Notable dignitaries include leaders from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Seychelles, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Nepal, and Bhutan. To address past complaints, organizers have installed rows of water fridges and mist fans to combat the heatwave. Security protocols dictate that guests must remain seated for about four hours. The event aims to mark the commencement of Modi's new term, emphasizing guest comfort amid the scorching weather conditions.

Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut criticized praise for a CISF woman constable who allegedly slapped her, comparing it to justifying "rape or murder." Ranaut claimed in a video message that she was hit and abused by the constable during a security check at Chandigarh airport, potentially due to her stance on the farmer protests. The incident occurred two days after Ranaut was elected to the Lok Sabha from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Kulwinder Kaur, the CISF constable involved, has been suspended, and an investigation is underway. The CISF has also ordered a court of inquiry into the matter.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony today, representing the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. This decision follows consultations with INDIA Bloc leaders. Trinamool Congress, a bloc partner, will be absent. The Congress Working Committee urged Rahul Gandhi to take the Leader of Opposition role in the Lok Sabha, but he deferred. Sonia Gandhi is confirmed as the Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson.

Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi is set to be sworn in for his third consecutive term tonight. He began the day by honoring Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in New Delhi. Alongside his council of ministers, he will take the oath at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7:15 PM, leading a coalition government after two outright BJP majority terms. Modi drew parallels to Jawaharlal Nehru's historic streak, winning in 1952, 1957, and 1962. This marks a significant milestone in Indian political history, with Modi poised to continue his leadership, emphasizing continuity and historical significance.

PM Narendra Modi will take oath for his third consecutive term today, with the ceremony scheduled from 7:15 to 8 PM. Approximately 30 ministers will be sworn in initially, with the full council expected to comprise 78 to 81 members. Key portfolios, including home, defence, finance, and external affairs, will remain with the BJP. Other critical infrastructure ministries, such as steel, civil aviation, and coal, will also see appointments. Coalition dynamics will influence the cabinet's composition, with most ministers likely holding single portfolios. Calls to the ministers to be sworn in will start this morning.