Top BJP leaders including party chief Rajnath Singh, L K Advani, Murli Manohar

Joshi, Arun Jaitley and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat were present at today’s function. Also present were BJP Chief Ministers Vasundhara Raje Scindia, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, B C Khanduri and Raman Singh.

But despite invitations, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Orissa Chief Minister Navin Patnaik did not turn up. Another notable absence was that of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who had made her presence felt in 2002. NDA convener George Fernandez, accompanied by Jaya Jaitley, was the only ally who was present.

As Chief Secretary Manjula Subramaniam declared the ceremony over and announced Modi as CM, the stadium burst into another round of frenzy and crackers. Modi, accompanied by Rajnath, Advani and state BJP president Purushottam Rupala then moved in an open jeep around the periphery of the stands greeting the supporters.

Modi meets Keshubhai

AHMEDABAD: Indicating a change of a heart, Narendra Modi met BJP rebel Keshubhai Patel at his residence in Gandhinagar on Tuesday evening hours after he took over as the Chief Minister. Sources said Modi met the leader, who has been served a show-cause notice by BJP central leadership for anti-party activities, and sought his blessings. The meeting lasted 20 minutes. Sources said Keshubhai congratulated Modi and offered him sweets.