Chief minister Hemant Soren is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, the first meeting of the new CM who unseated the BJP government in Jharkhand, with the PM.

Sources in the CM’s secretariat said an appointment has been sought with Modi.

Though a source in the CM’s secretariat said it would be a courtesy call, some Jharkhand issues were likely to be discussed, such as a new tribal university in the state.

The proposal was first mooted by the Raghubar Das government but no action.

Hemant is also expected to seek financial aid from the Centre for ongoing projects and schemes.

Sources said that CM during his Delhi visit may also meet senior Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi to finalise his cabinet. So far, Hemant’s cabinet has three ministers, Rameshwar Oraon and Alamgir Alam of the Congress and Satyanand Bhokta from the RJD. The second cabinet expansion will take place any time after January 14.

“At least three more Congress MLAs will be inducted, including a woman,” said a senior Congressman. “Four women MLAs of the Congress are contenders, Deepika Pandey Singh, Mamta Devi, Amba Prasad and Purnima Niraj Singh. All are first-time MLAs.”

It is rumoured that Deepika’s political and professional profile gives her an edge over the rest.