‘Needless Controversy Over EVMs & EC’: PM Modi at NDA Dinner
The dinner was being hosted at Ashoka Hotel in New Delhi for the NDA leaders.
Buoyed by the exit poll predictions, the BJP president convened a meeting of the leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Tuesday, 21 May, ahead of the counting day on 23 May.
At NDA meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over 'needless controversy' created by Opposition over EVM and Election Commission.
The dinner was being hosted at Ashoka Hotel in New Delhi for the NDA leaders. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar were among the few to attend the event.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Union Minister Rajnath Singh along with Ram Vilas Paswan, said that the leaders discussed various issues, from national security to latest EVM issue.
Speaking on reports of unescorted EVMs in several states, Singh said that the NDA expresses concern, adding that the opposition is trying to create mistrust. "What can be seen as a global example, Opposition is creating mistrust on EVM," Singh said.
Following the meet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called NDA a “family” and said the alliance is “best suited to address regional aspirations.”
AIADMK which is an NDA ally in Tamil Nadu, however, did not attend the dinner.
Twelve of 14 exit polls had predicted that the NDA is getting full majority with seats ranging from 282 to 365.
A party or an alliance needs 271 seats to form the government as Lok Sabha elections were held on 542 of the 543 seats.
Modi-Shah Duo ‘Thank’ Union Ministers
Earlier in the day, PM Modi met Union ministers from the BJP as well as allies at a meeting hosted by party president Amit Shah at its headquarters in Delhi.
The BJP described the meeting as an occasion to thank ministers for “their service to the nation” ahead of the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha election on 23 May, following which a new government will assume charge.
Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Arun Jaitley, JP Nadda and Prakash Javadekar were among the key leaders from the BJP at the meeting.
Some ministers from BJP allies, including Ram Vilas Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party, Harsimrat Kaur Badal from the Akali Dal and Anupriya Patel of the Apna Dal, were also present.
The exit polls predicted the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance getting 82 to 165 seats.
Six exit polls predicted that 'other' parties were likely to get more seats than the the UPA.
2 NDA Allies Hint About Role in New Govt
Two NDA allies, Janata Dal (United) and AIADMK exhumed confidence that it would return to power and hinted about their role in the new government, according to the Hindustan Times.
“Whatever may be the outcome of exit poll, we were optimistic of the return of Narendra Modi government,” JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar said, adding that it is a given that allies will be part of the NDA government.
Nitish Kumar isn't the only one to drop hints, Tamil Deputy Chief Minister and AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam also said, his party would join hands with the NDA government if it gets a second term after the votes are counted.
The AIADMK leader also acknowledged that he patched up with Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on the advice of Modi.
(With inputs from IANS)
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