Assam: Samujjal Bhattacharya Accepts Himanta Biswa Sarma's Challenge for Debate on 'CAA'

By: Rana Pratap Saikia

The gloves are off and it would appear that the contenders are ready. Responding to Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's challenge for an 'open debate' on the contentious issue of the Citizenship Amendment Act (or CAA), All Assam Students' Union (AASU) leader Samujjal Bhattacharya has said he is 'ready' to talk with the BJP leaders, once again.

ALSO READ: Men Should not be Afraid of Household Chores: Nagaland Minister Calls for Gender Equality with Cooking Pic

Talking to mediapersons on the lines of the 'open debate', Samujjal Bhattacharya said that that the result of the talks between the AASU and the BJP leadership had not been fruitful. However, Bhattacharya stated that he is ready to debate the national leadership on the very contentious issue once again.

"We had raised our issues, but the Central Government failed to give us appropriate answers. Now, we would like to invite the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a public debate, where honourable Home Minister can also be present -- and other leaders from Assam can also be present."

Talking to Inside Northeast, Bhattacharya said, "I am ready to debate PM Modi and Amit Shah. Other leaders can join in if they want."

ALSO READ: Atul Bora’s Hypocrisy Exposed? AGP President Leads Pro-CAA Rally at Jagiroad

Throwing the gauntlet earlier, Himanta Biswa, the most vocal supporter of CAA in Assam's echelons of power, had earlier tweeted, "I have already publicly requested Advisor of AASU Sri Samujjal Bhattacharya to join us for a debate in Srimanta Sankardebava kalakhetra on CAA, NRC and on the factual details of assurances given by Honble HM Amit Shah during his discussion with AASU leadership."

This should provide for some  lip-smacking entertainment and would be the debate, if it comes to fruition, would be the first of its kind between the BJP leadership and an anti-CAA brigade leader.

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.