Shillong: The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance cabinet, which has two BJP ministers, has passed a resolution opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, as the saffron party’s leadership in the state asserted they were “with the indigenous people” on the proposed legislation. The Cabinet passed the resolution during a meeting on Thursday.
The BJP, which has two MLAs in the MDA government, backed the Cabinet decision, reports PTI. “We are with the people of the state. The state cabinet had unanimously passed a resolution to oppose the Bill and we are part of the government,” Health Minister and BJP MLA A L Hek said.
Asked if he would resign from the BJP on the issue, he said, “No question”. “People have voted for me. They have entrusted me with responsibilities as their representative and I will continue to serve in that capacity.” The ruling National People’s Party (NPP), the United Democratic Party (UDP), the BJP and the Hills State Peoples Democratic Party, as well as the opposition Congress, have voiced their opposition to the Bill, reflecting strong dissent prevailing in the state against the proposed legislation, cleared already by Lok Sabha. Meanwhile, the BJP-led government in Manipur has decided to urge the Centre to exempt the state from the jurisdiction of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, the latest northeast voice against the proposed legislation.