Debabrata Saikia calls on Congress party to join anti-Bill Movement

Guwahati, January 6, 2019:

Leader of Opposition in Assam, Debabrata Saikia, today called on the party to finally take a definite stand against the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s revelation that the Bill would be passed soon sent shockwaves across the length and breadth of the state and many organizations, including the AASU and KMSS, have protested the Bill.

Saikia, in his statement to Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Ripun Bora, said: “I have observed at the present time that many people feel that the INC is not doing enough to oppose the Bill on the ground. Contradictory statements made by some of our leaders regarding our official stand have also not helped our cause.”

Saikia also stressed on the urgent need of the party to take a quick stand against Modi and the BJP’s agenda. Speaking on the handling of the issue by Congress leaders with kid gloves, he said: “The INC has so far mainly restricted its opposition to the Bill to statements in the media regarding the un-Constitutional nature of the Bill since it discriminates on the basis of religion, the BJP’s evil design to nullify the 24th March-1971 cut-off date enshrined in the Assam Accord, the duplicity inherent in Amit Shah terming the 40 lakh people omitted from the final draft of the NRC as “ Ghuspethia” while Narendra Modi is assuring the people of Assam that not a single genuine citizen will be deprived due to the NRC process, etc. This restrained stand of ours on such a highly emotive issue has the potential to erode our party’s credibility and acceptability in Assam in the near future.”

Saikia stated that the Congress have to take part in the Anti-Bill Movement in order to safeguard the interests of Assam and its people and yet, at the same time, not surrender its individuality. Stating the course of action to be taken by the party, he said “I suggest that the INC should organize a protest at block and district levels with the participation of our workers and leaders.”