President Ram Nath Kovind dissolves 16th Lok Sabha
Two days after results of Lok Sabha elections were declared, President Ram Nath Kovind signed an order dissolving the 16th Lok Sabha on Saturday. This development came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi submitted his resignation to the President. His council of ministers also resigned. In a few days from now, PM Modi will take oath as the new Prime Minister of India. Here's more.
CEC Sunil Arora met President Kovind, submitted list of winners
President Kovind signed the order under the powers given to him by Sub-clause (b) of Clause (2) of Article 85 of the Constitution. Before he signed the order, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora met him and submitted the list of candidates who won the elections. To recall, the seven-phased elections for 543 constituencies began on April 11 and ended on May 19.
Watch: Arora paid a visit to President Kovind
Modi magic returned to haunt Opposition, propelled BJP to skies
Led by PM Modi, BJP swept India, performing better than it did in 2014. The saffron party won 303 seats and NDA won 353 seats. On the other hand, the Opposition was completely decimated. Congress settled for a meager 53 seats. In 80-seated Uttar Pradesh, the SP-BSP alliance won 15 seats, with 10 going to Mayawati's party. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool won 22 seats.
Separately, MPs will elect PM Modi as their leader today
While all eyes are set on PM Modi's Cabinet, the elected MPs have another task at hand. They will meet at Parliament's Central Hall at 5 PM to formally elect PM Modi as their leader. On Friday, PM Modi addressed the council of ministers. He told them the victory proves that the government's schemes struck a chord and asked them to work harder.
Who will attend PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony? Government keeps suspense
Meanwhile, according to reports, the swearing-in ceremony will happen between May 29 and 31. While media reports claimed invitations to global leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Emmanuel Macron, have been sent out, the government denied them. Sources said no leaders have been invited yet.
