Congress backs 46 local bodies’ move; BJP opposes bandh

GUWAHATI: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Ripun Bora on Sunday made his party’s stand clear on the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 stating that if the Bill is placed in the Parliament, the Congress will oppose it totally. Bora further stated that “the Congress would appeal to all other Opposition parties to oppose the Bill.” He further added that “the party will support the Assam bandh called by 46 local bodies against the Bill on October 23.”

“The AGP is making a drama over the Bill,” Bora alleged. “The AGP is repeatedly saying that its members would come out of the alliance with the BJP if the Bill is accepted in the Parliament. But what would such a move serve once it becomes an Act?” Bora posed.

Also Read: If Citizen Amendment Bill 2016 passes, Asom Gana Parishad to Break Alliance with BJP in Assam

“If the three members of the AGP resign now before the Bill is placed in the Parliament, then the Centre would be forced to retrace its steps on its move to grant citizenship to all foreigners in Assam. The Central Government would then stop on its tracks,” he said.

On the other hand, the State BJP has reiterated its stand on the Bill. The saffron party in a statement issued today said that certain forces are creating confusion among the masses over the Citizenship Bill. They are trying to create rifts among the communities. Stating that the proposed Assam bandh would not serve the purpose of the larger Assamese community, the party said that it opposes the move to call a bandh on October 23.