PM meets those who may become central ministers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday held a breakfast meeting with those who were to be inducted into the union council of ministers.

Some of the people who attended the meeting at the Prime Minister's Residence at 7 Race Course Road included former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, BJP leaders Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and J.P. Nadda.

"I will fulfil any responsibility given to me by the prime minister to the best of my capabilities," Parrikar told reporters after the meeting.

On what transpired at the meeting, he said: "We had tea and some other general things were discussed. This has nothing to do with the government."

Ram Kripal Yadav, who joined the BJP just before the general elections, said: "It was a courtesy call."

Asked why Bihar is getting three new ministers, he said, "It is a big state."

Another BJP leader from Bihar, Rajiv Pratap Rudy said: "It is a matter of dignity if I am allowed to work for the people of the country. I have got the opportunity to work as the representative of the people of Bihar, so I want to thank the party, senior leaders and my well wishers."

BJP MP from West Bengal Babul Supriyo said: "We have been told that we will be given some responsibilities but what it is going to be exactly, I do not know. I just know that whatever responsibility I will be given, I am supposed to excel in that."

This will be the first cabinet reshuffle since Modi assumed office of the prime minister in May after leading the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a historic win in the Lok Sabha elections.

The Modi government at present has 22 cabinet members and 22 ministers of state, some holding independent charge.