SHILLONG: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday assured a delegation of regional political parties from the North East that the government would bear in mind the sentiments of the people of the region regarding the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the delegation, of which he was a part, received a positive response from Singh. “He (Singh) mentioned that he is keeping the sentiments of the people of the North East in mind,” Sangma said.
Singh told the delegation he would consult and discuss with politicians and civil society and only then decide on how to go ahead with the bill in Rajya Sabha.
“He (Singh) will be consulting and discussing with organisations, political parties and leaders besides chief ministers. We are hopeful that the effort we are making will bear fruit and we will try our best to ensure the government does not go ahead with the bill,” Sangma said.
He expressed hope that the central government will take necessary action to not table the bill in the Rajya Sabha.
The regional political parties met other political parties like Biju Janata Dal (BJD) expressing concerns about the bill.
Sangma said they made it clear they were against the bill in its present form while seeking support of the parties to vote against it if it is brought in the upper house.
Sangma had earlier led a delegation of state Cabinet ministers to Delhi on January 18 to meet Singh.
Again, on January 29, Sangma chaired a meeting attended by 10 regional parties of the North East and Janata Dal (United) to take a united stand against the bill.
It was at this meeting of regional parties where Sangma announced that a committee would be formed to reach out to other political parties of the country to garner support against the bill.
Sangma along with Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, Asom Gana Parishad’s Atul Bora and former Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and UDP’s Donkupar Roy also met leaders of several NDA allies, including those of JD(U), Shiv Sena, Akali Dal and the Lok Janshakti Party requesting them to oppose the bill.
NESO seeks support of political parties
The North East Students’ Organization (NESO) on Sunday met different political parties to add teeth to its opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
In a statement issued here, NESO chairman Samuel Jyrwa said the team met Janata Dal (United), Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and other political parties in Delhi.
The team met with JDU vice president Prashant Kishor. He assured the student leaders that his party will vote against the bill if it is brought in the Rajya Sabha.
The NESO delegation met BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, who also said that the party was not in favour of this bill and would vote against it.
The NESO team also called on Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who along with other political parties of NE, including the AGP, NPF and INPT also reiterated their strong opposition to the bill.
Sangma assured NESO team that they were making an all out effort to ensure the bill is not passed in the Rajya Sabha.
The NESO team also met Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.
The NESO team comprised of the KSU, AASU, GSU, AMSU, TSF, AAPSU, MZP and TSF. NESO will also be meeting with other political parties.
