Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra Modi was on Saturday appointed prime minister-elect by President Ram Nath Kovind, who also invited him to form the new government.
After the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance unanimously elected him as their leader, Modi reached the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Saturday night to stake claim to form the next government.
The president asked Modi to decide the council of ministers and the date of his swearing-in ceremony, a communique issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.
Kovind requested Modi to advise him about the names of others to be appointed members of the Union Council of Ministers; and indicate the date and time of the swearing-in ceremony to be held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, it said.
Modi later told reporters at the forecourts of the Rashtrapati Bhawan that President Kovind has appointed him prime minister-elect and asked him to form the new government.
"I am grateful to the NDA leaders for giving me the responsibility," Modi said.
He said the "massive mandate" given by the people also brings responsibility to fulfil their aspirations.
With its resources, India has great opportunities, he said, adding "we have to be ready to take advantage of it."
He also asserted that his government will not sit back, and continue with the development work at a faster pace.
"No stone will remain unturned to fulfill the aspirations and dreams," Modi said.
He underlined that his government will ensure safety and security of every citizen and work for the progress of India.
Earlier in the day, a delegation of the National Democratic Alliance led by BJP president Amit Shah and comprising Parkash Singh Badal, Rajnath Singh, Nitish Kumar, Ram Vilas Paswan, Sushma Swaraj, Uddhav Thakeray, Nitin Gadkari, K Palaniswami, Conrad Sangma and Neiphiu Rio, called on the president at Rashtrapati Bhavan with a list of their MPs as a proof of the dispensation's majority in the 17th Lok Sabha.
A letter stating that Narendra Modi has been elected leader of the BJP Parliamentary Party was handed over to the president, it said.
"Letters of support from NDA constituent parties were also handed over to the president," the communique said.
The outgoing Union council of ministers had tendered its resignation on Friday night and Kovind had asked Modi to continue as caretaker PM.
After the NDA returned to power with a massive majority, Modi becoming the prime minister again was a foregone conclusion.
All photographs: Kind courtesy @rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
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