Modi meets President Murmu, stakes claim to form govt

PRIME Minister-elect Narendra Modi on Friday met President Droupadi Murmu and staked claim to form the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre.

Modi, 73, will be sworn in on Sunday, June 9, as the prime minister for a third straight term, equalling the feat of India's first premier Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. 

“This is the first election after Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav...For the third time, the NDA government has been given a chance by the people to serve the country...I assure the people of the country that in the last two terms, the speed with which the country has moved forward, change is visible in every sector and for 25 crore people to move out of poverty is a proud moment for every Indiaṇ,” Modi said in his address after meeting the president.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said, "We are confident that Modi will develop India and we will wholeheartedly support him every passing day. All the pending works of Bihar will be done. It is a very good thing that all of us have come together and we will all work together with you. ... we will all work under your leadership."

"I have noticed that a few people have won (Lok Sabha elections) here and there by saying useless things. They haven't done any work, never served the country. Next time when you win, they all will be defeated," the JD(U) chief added, in his attack on the opposition.