As the oath-taking ceremony for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic third term approaches this weekend, speculation is rising over which important Cabinet berths will be allocated to BJP allies as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition government takes shape.

Both BJP partners - Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) - are said to be eyeing 3 to 4 Cabinet births. But the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to keep key ministries like Railways, Law, Information Technology, and Education. The BJP, being the majority party in the alliance, is willing to accommodate one cabinet post and two Minister of State positions, each for the TDP and JD(U.)

So who all really will be in the Cabinet of Modi 3.0?

News18 has learned that the TDP wishes for at least 3-4 berths in the Union Cabinet. They had one minister and one MoS in the earlier term with the NDA, with the same number of 16 seats as now. The Minister of Civil Aviation and Minister of State IT were earlier from the TDP until the party pulled out of the NDA government in 2018.

MoS Finance is expected to be a key post for the TDP, plus two-three other full ministries, which would help in Andhra's development. Another key issue is the demand for 'special status' for Andhra Pradesh, but the nomenclature no longer exists. Instead, Andhra Pradesh may be promised an adequate infusion of funds for the state as desired by Chandrababu Naidu.

JD(U) has said it is seeking a review of the Agnipath scheme, launched by the BJP government in 2022. JD(U) Spokesperson K C Tyagi told CNN-News18 that the party wants a detailed discussion on the scheme, under which defence personnel are employed for four years.

JDU MP Elect from Gopalganj, Dr. Alok said that a common minimum program would be made after discussing all these issues and coming to an agreement about the governance priorities of NDA. On one nation, one poll, the JDU leaders said they have no objection. Both UCC and ONOP are part of BJP's manifesto.