Common Minimum Programme Could be One of the Demands by JD(U) During Govt Formation Talks: Sources

The common minimum programme could be one of the demands by Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) if it becomes part of the new government led by the National Democratic Alliance, sources told News18. The idea of a common minimum programme envisages policy, priorities and shared agenda of a coalition government or an alliance.

The demand for the common minimum programme (CMP), however, could mean a set back for the BJP, especially to their agendas like the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

According to News18 sources, in terms of cabinet portfolios, the JD(U) and Chirag Paswan’s LJP both may demand the railways ministry while rural development and agriculture could also be part of the bargain.

The NDA is going into a huddle in the national capital on Wednesday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to form the government for a third consecutive term as the the ruling alliance gained a majority in the Lok Sabha elections with 292 seats.

While the NDA is comfortably above the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha, the BJP has fallen short of the magic number for the first time since 2014 and is critically dependent on its allies for government formation.

Senior leaders of the NDA, including Nitish Kumar, are already on their way to the national capital for a meeting on the details of government formation. He and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu, who is set to become the next Andhra Pradesh CM, will attend the meeting where top leaders of the BJP and its other allies are also expected to be present, sources said.

They are expected to congratulate Modi and discuss with him the details of the new government, which is likely to be different in composition and character with a bigger share for the BJP’s allies. A formal announcement to this effect is yet to take place. Sources further said the NDA meeting is set to take place at 4 pm at Modi’s official residence.