Patna, (Bihar Times): Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi got support from an unexpected quarter. On Monday Nitish Kumar came to his rescue stating that changing portfolio is the prerogative of the chief minister.

Speaking to the newsmen after the Janata Darbar he ruled out any threat to his ministry. He said that no individual was responsible for dropping of ministers or change of departments. The expansion was done after getting the consent of both the parties of the NDA. Nitish denied that there had been change in stature of any minister, including Modi. He said that his government was working as a team and there was full coordination between the two constituents of the National Democratic Alliance.

Contrary to what Modi said before leaving for Delhi last week the chief minister denied that there would be any more reshuffle in the state cabinet. Modi had then said that there was possibility of further expansion in the cabinet.

The chief minister clarified that 36 is the maxiumum number of ministers Bihar can have. He hoped that differences over seat-sharing arrangements in Karnataka would be sorted out soon.

Meanwhile, deputy chief mininister Modi arrived from Delhi on Monday. About two dozen party legislators loyal to him went to meet him.

After Modi’s return the central leadership summoned former state party president, Gopal Narayan Singh, Rameshwar Prasad Chaurasia and Chandra Mohan Rai, the minister who was dropped in the recent cabinet reshuffle. Health minister Nand Kishore Yadav is already camping in Delhi.