The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), an alliance partner of the BJP-led Assam government, today said it would not allow the central government to grant citizenships to Hindu Bangladeshis.
Addressing a press meet here, AGP President and Agriculture Minister Atul Bora said, "The Centre wants to bring Hindu Bangladeshis to India and grant them citizenship. We do not support the idea as it violates the historic Assam Accord, 1985."
All illegal foreigners should be deported from Assam, irrespective of their religion, Bora said.
"The Assamese society is a secular one. We will never allow the segregation of illegal foreigners on the basis of religion," he explained.
The AGP leaders have met the Prime Minister to express their reservation on the matter, he said.
"We won't hesitate to give up our ministerial posts in the state government if Assam's interest is affected."
The regional party would always be sensitive to the needs of the local people, Bora said.
"The AGP will also ensure that no illegal foreigner's name is included in the updated National Register of Citizens in Assam and no genuine Indian citizen's name is left out," he said.
Asked about reports of simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assam assembly polls next year, the AGP president said, "Discussions have to be first held before anything is decided on the matter.
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