- Sunday, February 23, 2025
While the Indian PM will take oath for a record-equalling third time, the national cricket team will look to maintain their excellent record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIA was set for an eventful second Sunday (9) in June as two mega episodes were lined up during the day, both at home and abroad.
While the country’s prime minister Narendra Modi would take oath to the top office on Sunday evening in New Delhi for the third consecutive time after completing two full terms, becoming only the second Indian leader to do so after the legendary Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962, the national cricket team would take on arch-rivals Pakistan in New York later in the day.
Modi’s swearing-in will be key since he will lead a government supported by his Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as his own party failed to win a majority on its own. Indian broadcaster NDTV reported citing sources that nearly 30 ministers will be sworn in along with Modi. The strength of the entire council of ministers is likely to be between 78 and 81.
President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the PM and other members of the council of ministers at 7.15 pm local time at her official residence in the national capital, Rashtrapati Bhavan, on Sunday.
Taking oath after Modi will be the government’s top ministers, including those who hold crucial portfolios such as home, defence, finance and external affairs, all of which are likely to remain with the BJP. Others who are likely to be sworn in will include those who will get key ministers such as steel, coal and civil aviation.
Eyes will be on two crucial partners of the BJP in the NDA — Janata Dal-United led by Nitish Kumar, who is also the chief minister of the eastern state of Bihar, and Telugu Desam Party, which is led by N Chandrababu Naidu, a former chief minister of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh which his party swept in this year’s assembly elections that were held along with the national polls.
A number of foreign leaders will take part in the swearing-in ceremony, including the presidents of Sri Lanka, Maldives and Mauritius and the prime ministers of Nepal, Bhutan and Mauritius, among others.
Security was strengthened in the national capital and prohibitory orders were put in place ahead of the high-profile event. Modi had taken oath as the PM for the first time on May 26, 2014, and for the second time on May 30, 2019.
Meanwhile, India led by Rohit Sharma would lock horns with Pakistan in a crucial Group A match in T20 World Cup 2024 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, US, on Sunday. India have won the only match they have played so far against Ireland at the same ground on June 5 while Pakistan faced a shocking defeat against co-hosts United States in Texas on June 6. A loss against India could mean the end of the road for Babar Azam’s side in the tournament.
The pitch at the newly constructed venue will be under watch since its pitch has come under questioning after a couple of odd bounces hit some of the Indian batters, including Sharma, during their game against Ireland.
India have won six out of seven games against Pakistan in T20 World Cups while lost once.
