Modi 3.0: Narendra Modi holds a meeting with potential Cabinet

Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi addressed a meeting in the presence of NDA leaders. (Pic/ PTI)

Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, ahead of his swearing-in ceremony on Sunday, interacted with members of Parliament who are likely to be inducted into his Cabinet and Council of Ministers.

Before the grand ceremony this evening, the PM-designate hosted the traditional high tea at his home at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg in the nation's capital.

A video of the interaction at the Prime Minister's residence this afternoon Modi was seen briefing the incoming ministers, setting the tone for the government's agenda and priorities moving forward.

After attending the tea meeting , Manohar Lal Khattar who is a BJP MP-elect said, "It is a ritual of Narendra Modi that he calls people to his residence for a tea meeting. He only calls those whom he wants to induct into his cabinet. Some formalities were to be done, which I have completed. He has asked to me to stay in Delhi for the next 24 hours. Apart from me, Rao Inderjit Singh and Krishan Pal Gurjar were also present in the meeting..."

Republican Party of India Rajya Sabha MP Ramdas Athawale said that he will be part of the new ministers to be inducted in later this evening.

According to the reports from ANI, "Today, Narendra Modi will take oath as the PM for the third time. It is a matter of pride for the entire country. The oath-taking ceremony will be done today, and the portfolios will be decided tomorrow. I will be happy with whatever portfolio I am given... Around 60 leaders of the NDA were present in the tea meeting today..."

BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat who was present at the meeting at Prime Minsiter's residence said, "... The Prime Minister has given me the opportunity to serve the country by including me in his team for the third consecutive time. We will work as a team under the leadership of the Prime Minister and will fulfil all the promises and live up to the expectations and aspirations of the country."

Two-time Rajya Sabha MP Ramnath Kumar of the Janata Dal (United), Ramnath Thakur, son of former Bihar Chief Minister and Bharat Ratna awardee late Karpuri Thakur said he was thankful for being included in the Cabinet, as reported by ANI.

"On behalf of my family, my party, I express my gratitude to PM Narendra Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar... I express my gratitude to them for including a small person like me in the Union Cabinet. He (PM Modi in the meeting) said that we will work on the path of development with dedication towards the people of the country...," said Thakur.

"I want to thank PM Modi for showing trust in me," said Giriraj Singh, who defeated Begusari in Bihar in the general election and was one of the guests at the tea gathering today. "There was one discussion that we have to transform India into a 'Viksit Bharat'. It is not about any particular portfolio. Every department is important..." he added.

"I feel fortunate to get the opportunity to work with the Prime Minister," said Ajay Tamta, a BJP politician from Uttarakhand, who was entertained at the Prime Minister's home. He further added, "For this, I thank BJP, all the voters of my constituency and the Prime Minister...Whatever work I get, I will contribute to taking that work forward with all my strength..."

BJP leaders Piyush Goyal, Manohar Lal Khattar, Shivraj Singh Chouhan,Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Mandaviya, were spotted at the meeting and are expected to be part of the incoming government, according to reports from ANI.

BJP politician and three-time former Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu was seen attending the gathering of likely ministers expected to join the Modi cabinet 3.0, despite losing the Ludhiana seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, Rajnath Singh, Kiren Rijiju, Jyotiraditya Scindia, were among others who arrived for the tea meeting.

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan who won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by a margin of staggering 8.20 lakh votes from the Vidisha constituency said, "It is the good fortune of the country that Modiji is taking oath for the third time. The resolution of a developed India will be fulfilled...the country will become a world leader..."

When Shivraj Singh Chouhan was asked about getting a ministerial post, he said, "I have no information as of now..."

According to the reports, PM Modi will take the oath of office at 7.15 pm today along with his council of ministers in a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. On June 5, unanimous resolutions was passed by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to elect Narendra Modi as their leader.

As part of the arrangements for Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's swearing ceremony on Sunday, around 1,100 traffic police officers from the Delhi Police have been deployed, and an advisory has been issued to the public for the traffic movement route.