Will face challenges head on, Modi tells ex-Cabinet members

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the final meeting of the outgoing Union Cabinet on Wednesday, spoke about the importance of facing challenges head-on, drawing inspiration from late BJP stalwart Atal Behari Vajpayee. As the Cabinet recommended the dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha, Modi reflected on the need to derive lessons from adversities, urging his colleagues to remain focused on the nation's interests.

Following the Cabinet meeting, Modi, accompanied by the Union Council of Ministers, visited Rashtrapati Bhavan to tender his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu. “The President accepted the resignation and requested the prime minister and the Union Council of Ministers to continue in office till the new Government is formed, " the Rashtrapati Bhawan said.

Addressing his Cabinet colleagues, Modi highlighted the significance of unity and resilience, particularly in the face of Opposition narratives suggesting challenges for the incoming government.

“This is not the first time that there will be a coalition government…we should not take these narratives seriously but work together for the nation’s interest…challenges give me strength, more strength to work for the nation,” the PM, it was learnt, said in the meeting.

Reflecting on the electoral outcome, Modi conveyed a message to BJP leaders, attributing any anti-incumbency sentiment to individual candidate issues rather than a broader dissatisfaction with the Central government. The Cabinet meeting also saw discussions on the results of the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, followed by deliberations among the Council of Ministers.

The term of the current 17th Lok Sabha ends on June 16.