'Small And Compact' Cabinet To Take Oath With Modi Today

Prominent among those who met the BJP chief were party were LJP chief Ramvilas Paswan and his son Chirag, who has also been elected an MP. Paswan is hoping for a Cabinet-rank ministry as well as a minister of state berth for his party.

Leader of another NDA ally Apna Dal Anupriya Patel also met Rajnath Singh and later termed it a "courtesy" meeting.

(Preparations under way in Rashtrapati Bhavan for Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony as India's new Prime Minister)

Asked whether she expected a berth in the Union Cabinet, she said, "... You should ask the BJP. They will take a call on this."

Sources, however, said the Apna Dal which won two seats in Uttar Pradesh are also seeking to find a place in the new Cabinet. Rajnath also met senior party leaders as also the RSS pointsman for BJP Suresh Soni and some allies.

Others who met the party chief include MPs Maneka Gandhi and Udit Raj and senior Delhi unit leader and Rajya Sabha member Vijay Goel.

Former Union minister in the NDA government ID Swamy also met Singh. BJP general secretary Ram Lal also met the party chief, besides JP Nadda.

Preparations for formation of government have gained momentum with top BJP leaders engaged in a series of confabulations ahead of Modi's swearing.