New Delhi (IANS & others): Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Friday invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to form the next government at the Centre.

A statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan said: “President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Narendra Modi to the office of Prime Minister of India and also sought the names of persons who will be appointed as his Council of Ministers and take oath.”

Modi is slated to take oath as Prime Minister for the third time on Sunday.

“The President will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the Prime Minister and other members of the Union Council of Ministers at 7.15 p.m. on June 9, 2024,” the statement added.

The swearing-in ceremony will be attended by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremasinghe, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kumar Dahal “Prachanda.”

Earlier on Friday, a delegation of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President called on Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and handed over a letter of support.

At the NDA meet on Friday, Modi was elected as the leader of the Lower House, the BJP and the NDA Parliamentary party.

In the 543-member Lok Sabha, the BJP-led NDA enjoys a comfortable majority with 293 seats.

The TDP with its 16 MPs and JD-U with 12 MPs comprise important constituents of the NDA alliance.

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Modi, after meeting with Murmu told the media: “NDA allies chose me as their leader and also informed the President about their support. The President called me and appointed me PM-designate. I told the President that Sunday evening will be convenient for the oath ceremony.”

He said: “In 2014, I was new to the PM office. After having worked for 10 years, I have enough experience and, in this term, we will hit the ground running. Our experience of 10 years will enable us to take off development work quickly after assuming office.”