M’laya CM terms failure to table CAB as ‘great moment’ for NE

SHILLONG, FEB 13: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma termed the failure of the BJP-led NDA government to table the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 in the Rajya Sabha as a ‘great moment’ for the people of the North East region.

“It is indeed a great and an emotion moment for all the citizens in the North East part of the country. Today the sentiment and voice of the people has prevailed,” the CM told reporters on Wednesday.

Sangma, who is also the National People’s Party (NPP) national chief, has been leading a delegation of the North East-based political parties in New Delhi for campaigning against the citizenship bill.

The Meghalaya chief minister was also branded as the ‘Iconic NE hero’ for his bold stand against the Bill which seeks to provide Indian citizenship to immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 could not be tabled after the Rajya Sabha had to be adjourned sine die following huge disruption by opposition members on Wednesday.

This was the last session of the Rajya Sabha before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Earlier, the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8.

Sangma also thanked the leaders of the eleven political parties, civil societies, student bodies, and others for playing a critical role in ensuring that the voice of the people reaches the leaderships at different levels.

The National People’s Party has also decided to break ties with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) if the Bill is passed in the Rajya Sabha.

Asked what if the Centre will find other ways to implement the Bill, Sangma said, “If that situation comes in will take a stand on that but at this moment it (Bill) has not gone through so I think that is what is important for us.”

Earlier today, KSU members also took out a victory rally in the state capital soon after the Bill had lapsed. The KSU, is one of the constituent members of the North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) which has been vehemently opposing the citizenship bill.

By Our Reporter