PM Modi arrives in Patna for Bihar NDA government cabinet expansion ceremony

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bihar’s capital Patna on Thursday to attend the cabinet expansion ceremony of the BJP-led NDA government headed by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.

After landing at the airport, Modi travelled to Gandhi Maidan, where the oath-taking ceremony for the new ministers is being held. Large crowds gathered along the route to welcome the prime minister, showering flowers and raising slogans in his support.

The cabinet expansion is being seen as a significant political event for the BJP, as Samrat Choudhary became the first leader from the party to assume the post of Bihar chief minister.

Choudhary took charge as chief minister on April 15 after JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar resigned from the position following his election to the Rajya Sabha.

Along with Samrat Choudhary, senior JD(U) leaders Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav had earlier taken oath as members of the Council of Ministers.

The expanded cabinet is expected to include leaders from all constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar.

Senior BJP and NDA leaders are attending the event, which is being viewed as an important show of strength for the ruling alliance in the state.