SHILLONG: With BJP all set to form the new government at the Centre, the biggest question in the North East is whether the issue of Citizenship Amendment Bill will haunt the region again.
The BJP in its manifesto had already made it clear that it would revive the CAB if they return to power.
BJP candidate, Sanbor Shullai, however on Thursday said CAB is a dead issue even as he recalled that he had made it clear that he would commit suicide if the Bill is made effective and he is elected as MP
“But now I have got a relief as they have not voted for me,” Shullai said while adding that since the people of Shillong have reposed their faith in Vincent Pala, he would now have to take the full responsibility on CAB and he will have to take up the matter.
Making it clear that he will continue to oppose the CAB, Shullai added that if the BJP goes ahead with the CAB, he would not take any responsibility.
BJP state president Shibun Lyngdoh admitted that the party will bring back the CAB to the people so that it can be discussed.
“CAB is not meant only for Meghalaya or for the North East but for the entire country,” he said while adding that if the country accepts CAB, the party would have to enlighten people to make them aware about the benefits of the Bill.
The CAB will pave way for the religious minorities — the Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis — from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan to get Indian citizenship.
The North East had witnessed agitations which forced the Union government to shelve the Bill.
NPP state president WR Kharlukhi said the party had already reiterated its opposition to the CAB.
Speaking to a section of the press, he said, “We are for the interest of the people and if any force tries to disturb the interest, we will fight against it and we have also said this last time, the CM (Conrad Sangma) took the lead in the North East to fight against the CAB.”
To another question on NDA, Kharlukhi said, “I am very clear that we have never said that we are not part of NDA. During the national general council meeting of the NPP here, we clearly said if the BJP pushes for CAB, then we will withdraw from NDA. But it was not done and we remain part of NDA,” he added.
Kharlukhi recalled that the dream of late Purno Sangma, the father of Conrad Sangma, is to bring the tribals of not only from the North East but the whole of India because the tribal force is quite big in India.
He added that the party will attempt to extend its roots to other parts of the country with an intention to protect the tribal identity.