'Sangma takes Cabinet decision to oppose Bill, why don't you?'

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, May 9: BJP MLA from Dispur Atul Bora has questioned Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal straight, “If Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma can take a Cabinet decision to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, why can’t you?” The MLA dashed a letter to the Chief Minister on Wednesday expressing his displeasure over the controversial Bill. The English rendering of the letter written in Assamese reads something like – ‘Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has taken a historic step by taking a Cabinet decision not to support the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. After coming out triumphant in the case you had fought against the IM(DT) Act in the Supreme Court of India, you were honoured with the title ‘Jatiya Nayak’ (a national leader). Even today the people of Assam do repose their faith in you. The crown of Jatiya Nayak still adorns you as a headgear. Following the suit of Conrad Sangma you should take steps to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and prove yourself as a brave Chief Minister and the Jatiya Nayak in true sense of the term. This is my request to you. I thank you for not picking me in your Cabinet, lest I would have had to fight it alone against the Bill in the Council of Ministers. As I know, your Cabinet has ministers who’re contemplating on brining people from Bangladesh to save Assam. We’re Assamese first and our other identities come after this.”

Talking to reporters at MLA Hostel here later in the day, Bora questioned: “Should one bring Hindus from Bangladesh to strike a demographic balance in Assam? It is something like setting snakes free in the house to kill rats.”

On his being part of the BJP, Bora said: “I’m a member of a national party. However, that can’t bar me from being vocal for the wellbeing of my state and people.”