Narendra Modi has officially been sworn in for a rare third consecutive term as India’s prime minister, joining the elite two-man club that previously only included Jawaharlal Nehru. However, unlike the Bollywood movies Modi often likens himself to, his latest political victory comes with a plot twist: his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to win a parliamentary majority, necessitating some coalition-building creativity.

A Not-So-Solo Act

While Modi's National Democratic Alliance (NDA) managed to secure 293 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha, the real magic trick was making 240 BJP seats look like they could govern a country. Spoiler alert: they can't. Thus, Modi’s third act is starting to resemble more of a buddy cop movie, relying heavily on the Telugu Desam Party and Janata Dal (United) to keep the plot from unraveling.

Meanwhile, the opposition, under the spiffy new INDIA alliance led by the Congress party, managed to double their score to 232 seats. Imagine Narendra Modi, perched on the edge of his seat, furrowing his eyebrows at the balancing act he now has to perform.

Critics and Lovers

Modi’s tenure isn’t without its dedicated fan club and harsh critics. His supporters point to the economic growth and India overtaking Britain as the world’s fifth-largest economy. Yet, opponents aren’t so easily swayed by glossy GDP numbers. High unemployment rates and soaring inequality paint a less flattering portrait. Modi’s high-octane campaign promises to turn India into a developed country by 2047 have relied heavily on Hindu nationalist rhetoric, causing further ripples.

Several South Asian leaders from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Maldives attended the swearing-in ceremony, possibly wondering if they were extras in a political soap opera.

More Drama, Less Action

The BJP secured significantly fewer seats in crucial states like Uttar Pradesh, indicating that Modi’s support base might be showing early signs of political fatigue. The party’s decreased dominance means Modi must rely on coalition partners more than ever, curtailing some of the autonomy that made his previous terms look like solo concerts.

Political commentators are already predicting a year-long series of “Is He Losing His Edge?” panels on every debate show from New Delhi to New York. Modi’s economic track record, criticized for high unemployment and growing inequality, will no doubt be under the microscope as he navigates this coalition maze.

An Emboldened Opposition

Modi's third term begins amidst an emboldened opposition and a skeptical public. The opposition’s bolstered numbers in the Parliament suggest that the INDIA alliance isn't just playing second fiddle anymore. Expect them to challenge his governance loudly, tying Modi’s hands tighter than a birthday gift from someone who really overdoes the ribbon.

Prominent critics of Modi point to his polarizing figure as both the knight in shining armor who brought economic reforms and the villain undermining democracy with divisive politics and anti-Muslim rhetoric. Modi began his career with the right-wing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and eventually became Gujarat's chief minister in 2001. Since then, it’s been one political Bollywood blockbuster after another, but this latest release could face some serious box office challenges.

Conclusion

As Narendra Modi begins his third term, the political landscape has never looked more like the set of a reality TV show. With an emboldened opposition, decreased parliamentary majority, and a coalition-dependent government, the coming years could very well turn into a long, dramatic episode of "As the Parliament Turns." Expect commentators and critics alike to ask, "Is he losing his edge?" as Modi’s once-unchallenged dominance on the Indian political stage now faces the ultimate test: proving that a trilogy can still be a box office success without losing the plot.