SHILLONG: The United Democratic Party (UDP) senior working president, Bindo Lanong has reacted to the comments made by Meghalaya Congress leaders accusing the regional party of not giving due response to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
Addressing the Press on Monday, he said the UDP was the first party to bring to the knowledge of the public about the possible adverse fall out of the Bill.
He stated that the UDP was part of the delegation to Guwahati to take part in the meeting of all regional parties chaired by the Chief Minister of the state, Conrad Sangma. The meeting discussed thoroughly on the adverse fall out of the Bill that intends to provide Indian citizenship on a silver platter to millions of people.”
He questioned the BJP’s obsession in making efforts to implement the Bill criticizing the BJP’s move which only serves to increase its vote bank with the arrival of non—Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
“When the issues of Chakmas and Brus have not been settled by the judiciary, why this craze to bring people from other nationality?” Lanong asked.
He observed that the Bill came at a very wrong time – a few months before the Lok Sabha polls. He further said along with the Bill came up a serious decision of the BJP-led Central government.
“We strongly oppose the Bill and demand that the BJP should drop the idea and withdraw the Bill in Parliament,” he said.
Commenting on Inner Line Permit issue, Lanong said the ILP is a central legislation and recalled a meeting that was convened by then Chief Minister Mukul Sangma with social organisations wherein all were in favour of the ILP. The unanimous report was sent to the Center after the meeting. Lanong was the Law Minister of the state then.