When Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to Bihar on Saturday, his first after the bitterly-fought State Assembly elections in November, all eyes were on the body language between him and his political rival, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

If political observers were expecting cold vibes between the two, they were mistaken. Mr Modi and Kumar appeared at ease with each other as they shook hands, exchanged smiles and praised each other, setting off a buzz in power circles.

At the first function in Patna, the closing ceremony of the Patna High Court’s centenary celebrations, both leaders appeared formal and kept a distance. They made their speeches in sarkari style, largely focussing on the improvement of the judiciary and its infrastructural facilities.

But the chemistry between them appeared to change dramatically after they flew together in a helicopter for the next function at Hajipur, the flagging off several railway projects. They sat next to each other, talked animatedly, flashed smiles and praised each other in public.

It was Mr Kumar who set the ball rolling when he addressed the crowd. “After the State Assembly poll you have come to Bihar for the first time but I’ll request you to visit the state again and again for its development,” he said.

Besides thanking the Centre for the railway projects, the Bihar CM said he was happy that the Central Government had also taken up the dilapidated condition of the Mahatma Gandhi Setu bridge over the river Ganga.

While Mr Kumar was addressing the audience, a section of the crowd kept chanting “Modi, Modi, Modi.” The Prime Minister suddenly got up and gestured towards the crowd to sit down and be silent.

Mr Modi returned the compliment when he rose to speak. He said Bihar had been neglected for 10 years but things had started moving in the last 18-months.

“This project was initiated when Nitish Kumar was the Railway Minister and Atalji was the Prime Minister. The project of Nitish Kumar has borne fruit today,” Mr Modi said.