NDA allies will vote against Bill in Parliament, confirms Conrad Sangma

Guwahati, January 2, 2019:

Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, along with many other delegates, has visited Delhi to hold talks with the BJP top-brass regarding the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. This comes after Northeastern parties opposed to the Bill joined hands and passed a resolution to take up the issue with the top Government officials in Delhi, including the Prime Minister and President. Leaders from NPP, BJP and the UDP met leaders from NDA allies including Shiv Sena, Akali Dal and Lok Janshaklti and requested them to support the people of the Northeast.

Meanwhile, the delegation of Northeastern parties met with Ram Vilas Paswan, the Cabinet Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. Conrad Sangma, while addressing the media, said: “He (Ram Vilas Paswan) is also in agreement with the points that we have mentioned, that this kind of situation is critical and the Government should move very carefully and take everybody into consultation.”

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Sangma stated that although he is yet to meet Home Minister Rajnath Singh during this visit, they have talked over the phone. “The Government is calling us and I hope we will find a way and the Government will not go ahead with the Bill in this moment”, he added.

Sangma has also informed that the Northeastern leaders have met other parties from the region to discuss the Bill. “We have met leaders from other political parties like the JD (U), Shiv Sena, Akali Dal and many other political parties.” Sangma has also confirmed that all these political parties will vote against the Bill if it is raised in the Parliament. “It is the right time for the Government to consider (the situation) and look at the sentiments of the Northeast”, he added.