NEW DELHI: Narendra Modi took the oath of office as India’s prime minister for a historic third term on Sunday, albeit as the head of a restless coalition following an unexpected electoral setback.
President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to Modi at a lavish ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace in New Delhi. The event was attended by numerous dignitaries, including leaders from seven regional countries, Bollywood celebrities, and industrialists.
Originally a spokesperson for the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological precursor of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Modi now joins Jawaharlal Nehru as the only individuals to serve three consecutive terms as prime minister since India gained independence.
Modi, aged 73, secured his third term in elections that concluded on June 1, with the backing of 14 regional parties within his BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Unlike his previous two terms, where his party secured a clear majority, this time, the victory came through coalition support.
The electoral outcome marks a significant setback for the popular leader, as pre-election surveys and exit polls had anticipated a stronger performance for the BJP compared to 2019.
