Health, IT & Education for TDP; Railways & Agriculture for JD (U): Here are ministries NDA parties have sought

As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) prepares to stake claim to form the next government, the constituent parties have listed their demands that range from berths in the Council of Ministers to the agenda of the upcoming government.

Earlier in the day, the NDA unanimously elected Narendra Modi as the alliance’s leader. The NDA is expected to stake claim to form the next government on Friday and the swearing-in is expected on the next day.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal-United (JD-U) have sought the lion’s share of ministerial berths among the non-BJP members of the NDA.

As the BJP has failed to secure a majority of its own, the TDP of N Chandrababu Naidu and JD (U) of Nitish Kumar have emerged as kingmakers as their 16 and 12 seats are a must for the formation of the new government. This has placed them in a position to demand plum posts.

Of the 292 seats of the NDA, the BJP has 240, the TDP 16, the JD (U) 12, the Shiv Sena seven, and Lok Janshakti Party-Ramvilas (LJP-Ramvilas) five.

Here is what we know about the demands of the various NDA members:

TDP demands Health, IT & Education ministries

The Firstpost understands that the TDP has demanded eight ministerial berths in the third Modi ministry.

• Road Transport

• Agriculture

• Rural Development

• IT & Communications

• Health

• Education

• Housing & Urban Development

• Minister of State for Finance

Additionally, the TDP has also demanded the post of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Moreover, the TDP has also demanded a special economic package for Andhra Pradesh and funds for the development of Amravati as the state’s capital.

The JD (U) demands 3 ministries, say in govt’s agenda

It is understood that the JD (U) has demanded at least three ministerial berths. The demands included the railways, agricultural industries, and rural development ministries.

Moreover, the JD (U) has also demanded that the NDA government should have a minimum common programme.

The JD (U) has also hinted that it also seeks a nationwide caste census and a special status for Bihar, but it has clarified that the support for the NDA is “unconditional” and that these wishes are not conditions for joining the next NDA government.

“We expect the new government to consider giving special category status to Bihar and conduct a nationwide caste census. Our support is unconditional. But the unemployment in Bihar will not end till Bihar gets special status. So, keeping in mind the support NDA has received from Bihar, we hope there will be an initiative to give Bihar special status,” said JD (U) leader KC Tyagi to NDTV.

Shiv Sena & LJP (Ramvilas) also want Cabinet berths

It is understood that the Shiv Sena has laid claim to at least three Cabinet berths and has also sought two ministers of state.

The Shiv Sena has seven MPs.

The LJP (Ramvilas) of Chirag Paswan has also demanded one Cabinet berth. It is understood that the ministry sought by the party could be the Food and Public Distribution (FPS). Chirag’s father, late Ram Vilas Paswan, held the FPS portfolio in the first and second Modi ministries.