Narendra Modi, 73, is set to be sworn in on Sunday, June 9, as the prime minister for a third consecutive term.

On Friday, Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi met with President Droupadi Murmu to stake his claim to form the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre.

Modi’s upcoming swearing-in will mark his third consecutive term, matching the record set by India’s first prime minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

“This is the first election after Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav… For the third time, the NDA government has been given the opportunity by the people to serve the country… I assure the people that the progress seen in every sector over the last two terms, including 25 crore people rising out of poverty, is a proud achievement for every Indian,” Modi stated in his address following the meeting with the president.

Earlier in the day, Modi was formally chosen as the leader of the NDA, receiving backing from Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu, Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar, and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy.

“Our ten years were just a trailer; we will work much harder and faster for the development of our country. People know we will deliver,” Modi asserted.

“There were efforts to not acknowledge this very victory, to cast a ‘shadow of defeat’ on this success. But all such efforts remained fruitless… Such things ‘die very young,’ and that is what happened,” Modi said at the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting.

“Today, India has the right leader at the right time in Narendra Modi. This is a very good opportunity for India. If you miss now, you will miss forever. That is why we have a wonderful opportunity today,” Naidu said, endorsing Modi as the coalition’s leader.