TIL Desk/National/New Delhi/ The stage is set for the formation of the new NDA government with Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding a marathon meeting lasting around five hours Tuesday at his residence with BJP president Amit Shah, sources said. The two leaders, who were together in Ahmedabad and Varanasi over the last few days, are also believed to have made use of some of the travel time to discuss this issue. However, there was no official word on the closed-door deliberations between the two.
Speculation over Shahs entry in the Cabinet has been intense since the BJP won the Lok Sabha elections with a massive mandate. While a section in the BJP believes that Shah could join the government as he had done the maximum for the party, another group argued that he would not leave its helm now. Party leaders said Shah has not given any hint about his role post May 30.
Sources said Shah has spoken to all the BJP state unit presidents and leaders for inputs and suggestions on government formation. The party organisation is learnt to be keen to have its gains in new fronts West Bengal, Odisha, North-East and Telangana reflected in the new council of ministers. The BJP won 44 of 88 Lok Sabha seats across West Bengal, Odisha and the North-East this time. Telangana is where the BJP sees a window of opportunity after winning four seats. All eyes are also on the participation of NDA partners Shiv Sena, JDU, LJP, Akali Dal and AIADMK who were given pride of place on the dais during the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting.
