Modi discusses ministry formation with central BJP leadership

NEW DELHI: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday discussed the formation of his ministry with the central BJP leadership here on his first visit to the capital after taking over the reins.
    
Modi, who arrived here to a tumultuous welcome by BJP workers at the airport, drove straight to the residence of senior leader L K Advani to discuss the formation of his Council of Ministers.
    
BJP chief Rajnath Singh and senior party leaders including Arun Jaitley and Om Mathur were present at the meeting.
    
"I discussed cabinet formation in Gujarat," Modi said here.
    
Modi's victory in Gujarat had fuelled speculation that he had become bigger than the BJP and would seek a greater role in party affairs at the Centre. Modi, on his part, had dismissed such suggestions.
    
After the meeting at Advani's residence, he called on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to seek his blessings.
    
Modi was sworn in as Chief Minister on December 25.
    
The leaders also deliberated on ways to take the BJP ideology to the people and to strengthen the NDA.
   
"We have presented an honest and effective leader -- L K Advani -- to the nation," Prasad said.
    
He said a positive atmosphere has been generated in favour of the party following its impressive performance in the recent elections.
    
The party's endeavour will be to take issues like national security and development to the people of the country who have been 'suffering' under the UPA rule, Prasad said.
    
On his arrival to Delhi, Modi, whose stunning victory in Gujarat had fuelled speculation that he would seek a greater role in the party's affairs at the Centre, was accorded a rousing welcome by the BJP workers.