Chennai, Oct 31: BJP today welcomed the merger of the Janata Dal (United) and the Samata Party saying the unification was 'good' for the National Democratic Alliance.
"The BJP welcomes the merger of the JD(U) and the Samata Party, who are partners of the NDA. The coming together is more conducive for the functioning of the NDA also," Party President Vankaiah Naidu told reporters at the Meenambakkam airport before leaving for delhi this morning. Ruling out the possibility of repealing of Pota, Naidu said he could not understand the 'provocation' behind the DMK to demand its repeal. Pota was very much necessary for the security of the country and 'there is no question of repealing it', he said.

"It is not a political issue but a national issue and the legislation was passed in the Joint Session of Parliament after considerable discussions. It was not a hasty legislation', Naidu said. Bureau Report