Patna: A large number of BJP workers and locals greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi with flower petals, banners and posters celebrating victory in “Ang, Bung and Kalinga” as he traveled from Patna airport to Gandhi Maidan on Thursday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of 32 new ministers in chief minister Samrat Choudhary’s cabinet. Supporters lined the roads and raised slogans of “Modi! Modi!” throughout the route.With the BJP poised to form a govt in West Bengal for the first time and Bihar witnessing the expansion of its first BJP-led govt, an atmosphere of celebration prevailed across the streets of Patna. The roadshow turned into a show of strength for the saffron party, with party workers gathering in large numbers along the entire stretch.Prime Minister Modi had last visited Patna on Nov 20 when Nitish Kumar took oath as chief minister at Gandhi Maidan. His convoy on Thursday moved through Hardinge Road, Beerchand Patel Path and the Income Tax route before reaching the venue.The Bihar BJP made elaborate arrangements to celebrate the expansion of the Samrat Choudhary-led cabinet and project the event as a historic political moment for the party in the state. Prime Minister Modi and other senior BJP leaders had not attended Samrat’s oath-taking ceremony on April 15 due to their engagements during the West Bengal Assembly election campaign.Outside the BJP office, devotees of Lord Krishna performed bhajans and kirtans amid chants of “Hare Ram, Hare Krishna”. The devotional programs continued as supporters waited for the Prime Minister’s convoy to pass through the area.People stood along both sides of the roads for hours to welcome Prime Minister Modi. As the convoy moved towards Gandhi Maidan, thousands waved at him and showered flower petals. Throughout the journey, the Prime Minister waved back at the crowd and acknowledged the greetings of supporters who had gathered in large numbers to catch a glimpse of him.
