Bihar CM meets PM Modi amid buzz over cabinet expansion

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi on Tuesday. In his first meeting with the Prime Minister after taking office, Choudhary said he received guidance on the vision of a “Viksit Bharat and Samriddh Bihar.”

Posting photos of the meeting, the Chief Minister described it as a courtesy call and said the Prime Minister’s support and encouragement are giving new momentum to Bihar’s progress.

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“Today, I paid a courtesy visit to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi. I received guidance on the vision of a “Developed India and a Prosperous Bihar.” The Hon’ble Prime Minister’s affection and support are giving new momentum to Bihar’s progress,” he wrote.

Choudhary also visited the BJP’s national headquarters, where he met party president Nitin Nabin. He further held meetings with other senior BJP leaders at Bihar Bhavan.

Although officially termed a courtesy call, the meetings are being viewed as politically significant.

It comes at a time when discussions over cabinet expansion in Bihar have intensified. According to sources, key issues such as the timing of the expansion, probable names, and caste and regional balance were discussed.

Just before his departure for Delhi, veteran JD(U) leader and Union Minister Lalan Singh met the Chief Minister, adding to the significance of the visit.

The swearing-in of the first BJP-led government in the state on April 15 was a brief and low-profile ceremony held at Lok Bhavan in Patna. Along with Choudhary, Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav of JD(U) were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers. There had been speculation that Prime Minister Modi might attend the ceremony, though he was unable to do so.

Political circles are abuzz that Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah and other senior leaders may attend the swearing-in of the remaining 33 members of the cabinet.