GUWAHATI: Ten regional political parties of the North East, including several affiliated to the National Democratic Alliance and BJP-floated North East Democratic Alliance, and the Janata Dal (United) came together on a common platform here on Tuesday and resolved to unanimously oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, apprise the President and Prime Minister of India of their common stand and appeal to the Centre not to go ahead with the contentious legislation.
Addressing the media after the two-hour-long convention, Meghalaya Chief Minister and convener of the meeting, Conrad K Sangma said a committee would be formed soon to reach out to other political parties across the country as well and garner support towards their common stand against the legislation.
The parties which took part in the convention are Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), National People’s Party (NPP), Mizo National Front (MNF), National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), United Democratic Party (UDP), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), People’s Democratic Front (PDF), Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), Naga People’s Front (NPF), Indigenous People Front of Tripura (IPFT) and Janata Dal-United (Eastern region).
“All the 11 parties here have unanimously agreed to jointly oppose the bill. After today’s meeting and following discussions with the government of India and other political parties, we hope the government will understand the sentiments of the people of the North East and will consider not to go ahead with the bill,” Sangma said in his opening remarks.
The convention, he said, also unanimously decided that a delegation of all participating political parties from the Northeastern region along with other parties who have supported the cause would meet and apprise the President and Prime Minister of India in the coming days.
“In the unfortunate scenario of the government of India failing to respond to the call of the people and going ahead with the bill, the convention has decided to continue its opposition to the bill. Towards this, the convention has decided to meet again to chalk out the future course of action and the way forward,” Sangma said, while reading out one of the resolutions of the convention.
He further thanked all political parties from across the country that have opposed the bill and supported the cause inside and outside Parliament.
The crucial meeting here, it may be noted, comes just two days ahead of a fresh Parliament session where the BJP-led NDA government would try to pass the bill in the Rajya Sabha.
CAB was passed in the Lok Sabha earlier this month, sparking widespread protests from parties and organisations across North East.
Asked whether there was a possibility of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance “parting ways with BJP” if the Centre goes ahead with the bill, Sangma, categorically said, “We will take a decision at the appropriate time. But this meeting is not intended to be in any way politically motivated …we have come here to address the issues of the people. It is the outcome of a natural process… we have been opposing this bill at the state level, but what we felt very strongly was that we must come together and in one voice oppose the bill.”
He further said that, as leaders from the North East, it was their responsibility to protect the people of the region.
On whether the parties would approach the Congress, which is also opposing CAB, the NPP national president said, “We are here to work with people who are against the bill. Therefore, we will be reaching out to everybody.”
Earlier, in the opening address to the media, Mizoram chief minister and MNF president, Zoramthanga said if the bill was passed in Rajya Sabha, it would be very dangerous and harmful for the North East. “So we have come together and oppose the bill unanimously,” he said.
AGP president Atul Bora expressed satisfaction at the coming together of the 11 parties to take a joint stand against the contentious legislation.
