"We Want Himanta Da, but not CAA": BJP Supporters at Jalukbari Rally

Jalukbari, December 29, 2019:

It seems like not even the BJP party's staunchest of supporters are happy about the implementation of the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act.

During a BJP rally at Sualkuchi that falls under Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's home constituency of Jalukbari on Saturday, media's interaction with several attendees revealed a startling fact: they are not happy about the 'CAA'.

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Following are the reactions of supporters being asked about the 'CAA' at the rally:

ATTENDEE #1: "We won't accept the CAA, for the people. We want Himanta da so that everyone stays well. But, we will never accept the CAA."

ATTENDEE #2:"Presently, I cannot support the CAA, because I am a common man, and the common people have realized they cannot support the CAA.

ATTENDEE #3: "We want (Himanta) da, but we won't accept the CAA. We love him, but we won't accept the CAA."

ATTENDEE #4: "We don't have anything to do with the CAA, but we want Himanta da."

Despite Himanta's popularity in his home Constituency, where his popularity is unquestioned, the opposition of the people to the 'VAA' posits a question: is the BJP not aware of the pulse of its supporters?

Himanta Biswa has proclaimed that the numbers are with the BJP party -- that the thousands that attend his rallies depict the true "voice" of the junta. The BJP party's other leaders too have depicted a similar defiant stand -- recently, Mrinal Saikia representing Khumtai, mocking the protests, said that only a lakh or so have participated.

In the recent Jharkhand election, too, the BJP party leader Raghubar Das, had expressed hope of winning all 86 seats. However, when all was said and done, the Congress-backed Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) won the election by a comprehensive victory, and Hemant Soren has now been placed at the helm.

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After the BJP Government steamrolled the 'CAA' through both the houses of the Parliameny earlier in the month, protests began across the length and breadth of Assam, with lakhs of protesters surrounding Dispur in demand of answers. After the Government used its brute force to quell the rebellion,

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