Former Congress MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi takes U-turn on 'CAA'

GUWAHATI: Former Congressman Rupjyoti Kurmi has done an abrupt U-turn on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) after deserting his party apparently to join the rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Kurmi, who was once a vociferous opposer of the controversial act, today said the BJP-led government has taken a "beautiful stand" on the divisive issue and will continue to do so in the future as well.

The legislator, who tendered his resignation earlier today, said during a televised interview: "I have a belief that the government has taken a beautiful stand and are taking a beautiful stand."

Exuding confidence in the leadership qualities of the current chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Kurmi said that trusts him to do the right thing as he is "indigenous Assamese."

Sarma, asked about Kurmi's switch during a presser, said that he has heard that Kurmi might join the BJP on June 21 next.

Kurmi also said that he supports a re-do of the NRC exercise "not only for Hindus, but to save the integrity of Assam."

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During the interview, Kurmi also opined that 'Bangladeshis' and 'foreigners' should be chucked out of Assam.

Kurmi said that a majority of the people voted for the saffron party as the people of Assam have "understood" the current situation as "some people are saying that they want a Miya Bhawan, and even a Miya CM."

"If we become a minority and they become a majority -- what will happen then? People should understand this," Kurmi said, doubling down on his anti-Miya rhetoric.

Asked about his attacks on the defected Congress leaders in the past, he said that he did so in order to save his party's image as a "soldier of the Congress."

Earlier today, Kurmi told media that younger leaders like him had been sidelined in the Congress, and that the party’s central leadership was responsible for its repeated electoral failures across the country. Kurmi, 43, is the son of the former Congress minister and three-time MLA Rupam Kurmi.

Congress, meanwhile, suspended him from its primary membership for “anti-party activities.”

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