Navigating New Alliances: Modi's Third Term Challenges

In his third term, Narendra Modi finds himself on a new political battleground. Since 2014, Modi led a majority government without reliance on his allies. However, with the BJP failing to secure a majority on its own in the recent elections, Modi's government will now truly represent the NDA alliance. The BJP, under the leadership of Modi and Shah, has experienced strained relationships with its allies. The Shiromani Akali Dal exited the NDA in 2020 over disagreements regarding farm reform laws, citing lack of consultation. Similarly, the Shiv Sena, a long-standing ally, left in 2019 after disputes over the Maharashtra Chief Minister post. Despite this, the BJP managed to form a government with rebel factions in Maharashtra in 2022. In 2024, the AIADMK departed from the NDA following offensive comments made by state BJP leaders against Dravidian icons. Even Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar, whose support is crucial for Modi, have previously walked out of the NDA. PM Modi, accustomed to governing independently, now faces the challenge of managing more demanding allies, marking a significant shift in his political strategy.