BJP keeps options open on aligning with PPA in Arunachal

Himanta Biswa Sarma said discussions on proper coordination between BJP and PPA were made

Keeping BJP's option open to be a part of the PPA government in Arunachal Pradesh, North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma today said the party will decide its future course of action during the national executive meeting.

"It will be decided at the BJP National Executive meeting at Calicut this week on whether BJP will continue to extend its outside support or be a part of the PPA government led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu," Sarma told reporters here.

Sarma, who is Assam's Health and Education Minister, arrived here in the morning and convened a joint legislature party meeting with 43 Peoples' Party of Arunachal (PPA) MLAs, 11 BJP MLAs and two Independents.

He said discussions on proper coordination between BJP and PPA were made where it was decided that BJP would extend outside support to the government along with two Independent members.

"Since PPA is an alliance partner of NEDA, a conglomeration of BJP and other regional parties of North East, the government in Arunachal Pradesh will be known as NEDA government," Sarma said.

He further said that he had discussed with party President Amit Shah on September 16 about willingness of Khandu to be a part of NEDA and accordingly the party chief had given go ahead signal.

"Chief Minister Khandu will be one of the patrons of the political platform," Sarma added.

NEDA was formed on May 24 in Guwahati with an intention to make North East Congress-free.