Patna: The breakfast meeting between BJP national chief Amit Shah and his JDU counterpart and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar lasted longer than expected and the body language of leaders conveyed optimism.

The two senior leaders broke bread in a dining room with only three other BJP leaders - deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, party's Bihar in-charge Bhupender Yadav and state unit president Nityanand Rai.

Shah's charted aircraft touched down in Patna around 10am. He reached the state guesthouse around 10.20am.

At the guesthouse, Shah sat in the ground floor guestroom with the others till chief minister Nitish Kumar arrived 10 minutes later.

Nitish was closeted with Shah and the BJP leaders for about 15 minutes before proceeding for breakfast. Shah, Nitish, Sushil, Bhupender and Nityanand moved to a small dining room while the others, including some central ministers, went to another hall.

Sattu-stuffed parathas, puri, a mix of sponge gourd and gram and a curry of potato and pointed gourd were served to Shah. Dhokla, poha and idli, too, were served.

Mangoes plucked from a tree on the guesthouse premises were served. There was also jalebi, papaya and cucumber. Buttermilk was served in the end.The breakfast lasted an hour after which Shah walked up till the guesthouse entrance to see off Nitish. When he had arrived, Bhupender Yadav had received Nitish and guided him to Shah.

Though neither Nitish nor anyone from the BJP spoke to journalists, BJP sources said the breakfast meet was the beginning of seat-sharing talks.

"I think they chatted for longer than expected and seemed quite relaxed," said a BJP insider, adding all the leaders seemed cheerful after the meeting, indicating a possible amicable solution to alliance-related issues, including seat-sharing.

After seeing off Nitish, Shah went to his first floor room and remained there for about 15 minutes before leaving for Samrat Ashok Convention Centre to interact with party leaders and workers.