Modi 3.0: BJP likely to keep top ministries, allies TDP and JDU bargain for key portfolios

As BJP's tally of seats stopped at 240- 32 short of the majority mark (272)- TDP (16 seats), JDU (12 seats), Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena (7 seats) and Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (5 seats) have emerged as the kingmakers.

It is learnt that Naidu and Kumar, who have remained in coalition governments in the past, aim for plum posts in the new central government.

TDP is likely claiming the Speaker's post which BJP is not agreeing to concede. The BJP might offer Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker's post to Naidu's party.

The BJP is not in a mood to sacrifice cabinet portfolios- Defence, External Affairs, Home and Finance.

The saffron party is also not keen to give up portfolios like Road, Transport and Highways, Railways.

Nitish Kumar, who is known for his political somersaults, may demand a Common Minimum Programme for the new NDA government, where the allies had minimum significance considering BJP's brute majority in the previous two terms.

JDU is also keen to run the Railway Ministry, which was run by Nitish Kumar in the past.

For the first time, Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi is needing the support of allies to run the government.

In previous two terms, allies were accommodated to lesser significant portfolios like food processing and heavy industries.

As per various reports, the BJP is likely to offer Civil Aviation and Steel to the TDP while Panchayati Raj and Rural Development to JDU.

The saffron party may accommodate allies as MoS in top portfolios like Defence and Finance.

Modi, who has been chosen as the leader of NDA alliance, will take oath as the Prime Minister on June 9.

The INDIA bloc, which performanced better than what was expected, has decided to "wait and watch" after winning 232 seats.