Rahul Gandhi Assures NESO of Voting Against CAB In Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: Three separate delegations from the North East on Monday called on Congress president Rahul Gandhi at his residence in New Delhi and sought his support to vote against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Rajya Sabha.

The delegations were from the North East Students’ Organization (NESO), Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity (KMSS) and a group of intellectuals led by Dr Hiren Gohain.

“We have met Rahul Gandhi and appraised him about our stand on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. We have apprised him that this Bill violates the basic principle of the historic Assam Accord,” NESO advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya told The Sentinel.

Bhattacharya said that this Bill is a threat to the language, culture and identity to the indigenous people of the North East.

“We told Rahul Gandhi that since the Bill has already been passed in the Lok Sabha, the passage of the same must be stopped in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill will not only dilute the Assam Accord but also derail the entire crucial NRC update exercise,” he said.

According to Bhattacharya Rahul Gandhi has assured the NESO leaders that his party will not allow anyone to destroy the language, culture and identity of the indigenous people of the North East.

The NESO delegation comprised of leaders from All Assam Students’ Union, All Manipur Students’ Union, All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union, Khasi Students’ Union, Garo Students’ Union, Mizo Zirlai Pawl and Tripura Students’ Federation. Besides Rahul Gandhi the NESO leaders also met Shiv Sena leader Shafal Rawat, Trinamool Congress leader Swagat Roy and Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi seeking their support to vote against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha.

The NESO delegation will also meet Samajwadi Party to support their move against the bill late evening.

On other hand, the KMSS leaders and a delegation comprising intellectuals from Assam were also assured by Rahul Gandhi that the Congress and the UPA allies will oppose the Bill in the Rajya Sabha.

Also Read: Top Headlines