Janata Dal (United) aka JD(U) joined hands to push the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The meet on Tuesday resolves to stay united against Centre.
Image source: PTI
Ten regional political parties of the Northeast, including eight members of an anti-Congress forum led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Tuesday met in a meeting that resolves to be united against the Centre.
Nitish Kumar, Bihar Chief Minister who also leads the JD(U) also joined a convention in Guwahati to fight against the communal bill. The bill is currently tabled at Rajya Sabha.
Representational image
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016
The communal bill seeks to grant citizenship to Jains, Parsis, Sikhs, Christians and Hindus who had taken refuge in the country till December 31, 2014 and so are illegal migrants belonging from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Opposition
“We oppose the Bill together. We believe that the Bill, if implemented, will threaten and endanger the lives and identity of the indigenous people of Assam and other parts of the Northeast.”
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who heads the Mizo National Front (MNF)
“We held this convention to unanimously oppose the Centre’s push for the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. We also decided to approach President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi together and appeal for scrapping the bill.”
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, the convenor of the meeting
Will appeal to President: Meghalaya CM
“We held this convention to unanimously oppose the Centre’s push for the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. We also decided to approach President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi together and appeal for scrapping the Bill.”
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, the convener of the meeting
A break up with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead?
“It is not right to comment on that as of now. But we will meet again to chalk out the future course of action in the unfortunate scenario of the Centre pressing ahead with the Bill.”
Conrad Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya and also the President of National People’s Party (NPP)
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