SHILLONG: NPP leader PA Sangma has ruled out the possibility his party merging with BJP.
“There is no plan of merging with BJP as NPP has its own identity”, Sangma told reporters here.
There are reports that to get cabinet berths, Sangma and Naga People’s Front (NPF) MP from Nagaland Neiphiu Rio have been asked to join BJP.
Asked whether North East was neglected in the Cabinet expansion, the Tura MP said, “BJP came to power on its own and the issue of accommodating its own people is a problem for the Prime Minister and it is not an easy job”.
According to Sangma, NPP and the Naga People’s Front are one member allies whereas there are political parties which have large number of MPs supporting the NDA.
He also said that it was the prerogative of the Prime Minister to accommodate any MP in the ministry.
Sangma, however, admitted that there was a general feeling among the people of North-East that the region was not properly represented in the Union Cabinet.
There are all together 39 members in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha representing North East and with a nominated member Prof Mrinal Miri, the total number is 40.
“I will not say lack of proper representation in the union cabinet is a sort of discrimination, but there is a feeling in this regard among the people “, he added.