THE ratification of the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) has been long overdue. The Constitution Amendment Bill provides for the exchange of 162 Indian and Bangladeshi enclaves and demarcates the India-Bangladesh border. It has been shelved since the days of the UPA government. At that time, the BJP opposed the Bill on the ground that it was ultra vires of the Constitution. What is surprising is that the BJP government did a somersault and Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated its passage as it was in India’s security interest. However, it appears that the government intends to introduce the Bill excluding the Assam portion of the LBA involving 268 acres. The Tarun Gogoi government wants the LBA to take effect. The BJP government at the Centre has evidently been influenced by the party unit in Assam which is opposing the Bill to improve its prospects in the Assam Assembly polls in 2016.
Another uncertain factor is West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee whose response has been wavering from the negative to the positive. If she persists in her opposition, that would scupper the LBA for good. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on external affairs has unanimously cleared the Bill. The Union government can push it through with Congress support. But it is trying to put it off for the BJP to gain political mileage in Assam. The LBA will cement ties with Bangladesh and show China that Delhi is capable of settling long outstanding disputes. The BJP government should pass the Bill as early as possible without the exclusion of Assam.
