This Article is From May 18, 2014

Narendra Modi's Charisma Worked for NDA in Northeast: PA Sangma to NDTV

New Delhi: After a gap of six years, Purno A Sangma has returned to Parliament as an MP and an ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance but he has ruled himself out of the Speaker's post.

"Speaker's job is a tough one and I think once is enough," he told NDTV.

Mr Sangma, a pre-poll ally of the BJP, on Sunday called on PM-designate Narendra Modi in Delhi's Gujarat Bhavan.

The former Lok Sabha Speaker described his visit as a courtesy call but when asked if he saw himself in Mr Modi's cabinet, he said, "It is purely the Prime Minister's prerogative but as a member of the NDA, I should be available for whatever role I am assigned."

Mr Sangma carefully avoided pitching himself as a ministerial hopeful but pointed out that this is the best ever performance for the NDA. "This is the first time that people of the Northeast have accepted NDA. Traditionally, the region is a Congress stronghold but people are fed up of Congress," said Mr Sangma.

He also said that Mr Modi's projection as a decisive leader and his personal charisma worked. "It's because of the young people. I will tell you an incident. I was interacting with a group of young students. And Meghalaya being a Christian majority state, people don't easily accept the BJP. But when I asked the group of students who they want to see as PM, everyone said Modi," said Mr Sangma.

Commenting on the reports that BJP stalwart LK Advani will be accommodated as Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr Sangma said, "He is the patriarch of the ruling party and the Speaker's post is one of the highest constitutional position." But does Mr Advani have the right temperament? "Well, that has to be seen on the job," he said without refusing to certify Mr Advani's temperamental competence.

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