EPS, OPS to join today’s NDA talks on govt formation

State BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan said the meeting was being organised to “thank” NDA constituents for their hard work during the just concluded Lok Sabha polls, as well as to discuss “future schemes.”

“Chief Minister (Palaniswami) and deputy Chief Minister (O Panneerselvam) will participate from Tamil Nadu,” she told reporters here. “Further, TMC leader G K Vasan, top leaders of PMK and DMDK would also attend the meeting.”

Referring to the exit polls that suggested NDA would retain power following the seven-phase polling to 542 Lok Sabha seats, she said it was certain that the ruling coalition is going to form the next government.  “NDA leaders had worked very hard (during the polls).Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting of NDA leaders to thank them (for this) and to discuss good schemes for the future.”

 Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Lok Janshakti Party head Ram Vilas Paswan are also likely to attend the meeting, which will take place two days before the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha polls on May 23.

A meeting of key BJP leaders, including Union Ministers and Modi, is also scheduled to be held at the party headquarters before the dinner meeting with allies. The BJP’s decision to host the dinner comes following the exit polls which have been unanimous in projecting another term for Modi.

 Modi and Shah at a press conference on May 17 had exuded confidence that the saffron party-led alliance will return to power and exit polls have further boosted their hopes. Exit polls telecast by almost all major news channels have predicted that the BJP-led NDA will cross the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha.

 Polls have been held for 542 seats as the Election Commission had deferred the election for Vellore seat due to allegations of the use of money to influence the voting.