BJP giving a 'mysterious twist' to NRC issue, spreading distrust: Congress
Congress on Tuesday said that the BJP was giving a 'mysterious twist' to it and demanded that PM Modi and Home Minister Rajnath should come out with a clarification on the issue.
Published: 31st July 2018 04:46 PM | Last Updated: 31st July 2018 04:46 PM | A+A A-
Congress leader Anand Sharma (File photo | PTI)
NEW DELHI: Charging BJP leaders and party chief Amit Shah of playing politics on the issue of the national register for citizens in Assam, the Congress on Tuesday said that the BJP was giving a 'mysterious twist' to it and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh should come out with a clarification on the issue.
Talking to reporters here, AICC senior spokesperson Anand Sharma said, "the BJP leader and the party president Amit Shah is giving a mysterious twist to the issue of the national register for citizens in Assam. We reject it in its entirety. We agree in principle to the idea of the NRC. However, we have objections to its implementation. It is important for the opposition to register their concerns with regard to the disenfranchisement of its own citizens."
Holding the ruling party responsible for the disruption in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Mr Sharma said, ''It was agreed that the discussion on the issue is held by suspending all other business during the question hour. Members of the Rajya Sabha raised their concerns on the process of the NRC. The disruption was because of the statement by BJP president Amit Shah. Now, it is for the Home Minister to clarify if he stands by Tuesday's statement in the Lok Sabha or the one made by the BJP president."
Charging the BJP of playing politics on the issue, he appealed BJP not to play politics on the issue and behave responsibly. He challenged Amit Shah to prove whether there is even an iota of truth in what he said. The PM and the Home Minister should state whether there is any truth in his statement. In fact, the BJP chief's statement is an insult to the Supreme court. It needs immediate clarification."
Speaking during the discussion on the issue in the Rajya Sabha, BJP chief Amit Shah said the proposal was brought at the time of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi but they (Congress) didn't have the courage to implement it.
Mr Shah asked if it was not the Congress, whose Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, had given commitment under the Assam Accord in 1985 to come up with NRC by excluding illegal immigrants.
The statement led to protest from the opposition, leading to adjournment of the house for the day.
