Our high command is opposed to Citizenship Bill: Debabrata Saikia

Guwahati, November 1, 2018:

The Congress on Thursday reiterated that it stands opposed to the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, which seeks to grant citizenship to the non-Muslim immigrants of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who migrated to India till December 31, 2014.

Congress MLA and leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, said the Congress high command was also opposed to bill.

His comments came in the wake of the pro-bill remarks allegedly made by Silchar MP Sushmita Dev and party MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha. Saikia categorically said the duo was not Congress spokespersons and as such, their comments did not reflect the stand of the grand old party.

The Congress sniffed a mystery in the Asom Gana Parishad’s (AGP) decision not to align with the BJP in panchayat elections.

“There is a mystery in AGP-BJP going it alone in panchayat polls. They are doing this to keep their workers in a good humour. But we know they have a tacit understanding,” Saikia said. He made it clear that the Congress would not have any alliance with the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF).

Meanwhile, the Congress accused the BJP of hijacking freedom fighters of the grand old party. The Congress said the BJP was doing so as it did not have any such freedom fighters. The Congress said Sardar Ballav Bhai Patel was one freedom fighter which the BJP poached.

The Congress was also critical of the BJP for doing nothing for fresh elections of the Mishing and Sonowal Kachari autonomous councils despite the expiry of their terms.

The Congress demanded a judicial probe into allegations of sexual harassment against BJP MP and Union Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain. The party urged the Assam State Commission for Women to intervene as Gohain said the charges against him were part of a political conspiracy. The truth must come out, the Congress said.