Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016: An acid test for BJP

Silchar, Oct 2: The way Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), BJP’s alliance partner, is opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, it is upsetting BJP. The Bill is likely to be tabled in the Winter Session of the Parliament, assured Dr Rajdeep Roy, state BJP spokesperson, at a press-meet held at his residence here on Monday evening. “An eight-member delegation of AGP met Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar, for opposing the Bill. It is disheartening and off-putting. But we will not let their plan be successful. What they have done for the people? Nothing. They came riding on promises that they could never fulfil,” he added to say.

Statistics, facts and figures speak louder. Dr Roy said, “AGP was in power for 10 years. I want to ask how many Bangladeshis they have deported during their tenure. From 1985 to 2005, as the record states, 12,486 foreigners were identified and only 1587 pushed back. The next one is more staggering; out of 14,789 foreigners identified during their tenure from 2005 to 2008 only one was pushed back. Is this an achievement? It is a very poor track record. They have failed to legalize and implement Assam Accord riding upon which AGP came to power. They failed to honour Assam Accord and now they are opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016,” said Dr Roy.

What if AGP breaks the alliance? “They are free to do so. Regional sentiments are definitely attached to them since they are a regional party. AGP should realize that Pakistan has brought up the topic of Bengalis in Assam in the UN which clearly reflects their nefarious designs. Pakistan wants to enter here through separatist activities. It will be dangerous for the whole state of Assam. There is no denying the fact that 10 districts of Assam are ruled by the minorities and in the next 20 years or so all these states will be ruled by Muslims,” said Dr Rajdeep Roy.

AGP should understand that seeds of divisive and secessionist activities are being sown here, continuing he said, AGP should open its eyes to the realities. “There is no parochial nationalism here. We will not let Assam get divided. Post second draft publication of NRC on July 30, 2018, there has been a rise in divisive and separatist activities. The Bill will be passed. Even if it is not, BJP will provide shelter. Our ideology is firm and standpoint is clear. It is definitely an acid test for us. BJP wants an error free NRC. We also oppose discarding of 5 documents from the list. Till date, the government of India has spent 1250 crore for the purpose of NRC update,” said Dr Roy. He also said that the statement of Amit Shah, BJP national president, has been misinterpreted and misconstrued.