On June 9, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the oath of office for a third term, leading the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to form the government. The new Council of Ministers comprises a blend of experienced leaders and fresh faces, each bringing distinct expertise and vision to their respective roles. Here’s a look at the key members and their backgrounds:
Senior Leaders
Amit Shah – Union Home Minister
Having served as the Union Home Minister in the previous government, Amit Shah will continue in this crucial role. Known for his decisive policies, including the abrogation of Article 370, Shah secured his Gandhinagar seat by a margin of approximately 7.4 lakh votes.
Rajnath Singh – Defence Minister
Rajnath Singh retains his position as Defence Minister. He won the Lucknow seat by a margin of over 1.35 lakh votes. Singh, who holds an M.Sc. in Physics, has been a strong advocate for the ‘one nation-one election’ policy.
Nitin Gadkari – Minister of Road Transport and Highways
Nitin Gadkari, who won the Nagpur seat by a margin of 1.37 lakh votes, continues as the Minister of Road Transport and Highways. Gadkari has been instrumental in expanding India’s highway network and introducing vehicle reforms.
Nirmala Sitharaman – Finance Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman, representing Karnataka in the Upper House, continues as Finance Minister. She previously served as Defence Minister and has held various portfolios since joining the NDA government in 2014.
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Piyush Goyal – Minister of Commerce and Industry
Piyush Goyal, a Chartered Accountant and management professional, retains his portfolio of Commerce and Industry. Goyal, who won from North Mumbai by a margin of approximately 3.6 lakh votes, has managed multiple ministries during his tenure.
New Inductees
J.P. Nadda – Minister of Health and Family Welfare
The outgoing BJP president, J.P. Nadda, joins the Cabinet as the Minister of Health and Family Welfare. Nadda has a long history in the party and has held various ministerial roles in both state and central governments.
एनडीए सरकार में मंत्री के रूप में शपथ लेने वाले सभी साथियों को बहुत-बहुत बधाई और शुभकामनाएं। मंत्रियों की इस टीम में युवा जोश और अनुभव का अद्भुत संगम है। हम सभी देशवासियों का जीवन बेहतर बनाने में कोई कोर-कसर बाकी नहीं रखेंगे। pic.twitter.com/vLcufkcOf1
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 9, 2024
Shivraj Singh Chouhan – Minister of Agriculture
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan takes charge of the Ministry of Agriculture. Chouhan, who has served nearly 18 years as CM, won the Vidisha seat by a margin of approximately 8.2 lakh votes.
H.D. Kumaraswamy – Minister of Rural Development
Two-time Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy joins the Cabinet as Minister of Rural Development. Kumaraswamy won the Mandya seat by a margin of over 8.5 lakh votes.
Sarbananda Sonowal – Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Former Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal continues as the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. He won the Dibrugarh seat by a margin of about 2.8 lakh votes.
Key Ministries
Ashwini Vaishnaw – Minister of Railways, Communications, and Electronics & IT
Ashwini Vaishnaw, representing Odisha in the Upper House, retains his comprehensive portfolio, having been re-elected in April.
S. Jaishankar – Minister of External Affairs
S. Jaishankar continues as the Minister of External Affairs. The seasoned diplomat has managed India’s foreign relations during some of the most challenging global crises.
Jyotiraditya Scindia – Minister of Civil Aviation
Jyotiraditya Scindia, representing Guna, continues as the Minister of Civil Aviation. Scindia rejoined the BJP in 2020 and has a strong political lineage.
Chirag Paswan – Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Chirag Paswan, from the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), joins the Cabinet as Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. His party won all five seats it contested.
Other Notable Ministers
Ramdas Athawale – Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment
Ramdas Athawale, a prominent Dalit leader from Maharashtra, continues his role as Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment. He is known for his candid and often humorous remarks.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat – Minister of Jal Shakti
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, representing Jodhpur, continues as the Minister of Jal Shakti, focusing on water resource management and sanitation.
Kiren Rijiju – Minister of Law and Justice
Kiren Rijiju, representing Arunachal Pradesh West, continues as Minister of Law and Justice. Rijiju has held various ministerial roles and is set for his fourth term in the Lok Sabha.
The newly formed Cabinet, with its blend of seasoned politicians and strategic appointments, sets the stage for Narendra Modi’s third term as Prime Minister. With a focus on continuity and innovation, the NDA aims to address the diverse challenges and opportunities facing India today.
