SILCHAR, Jan 4 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintained a tough and clear stance on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 saying “the Bill would be placed in Parliament and we shall see to it that it gets passed as well”.
Wooing the Bengali-Hindu voters in Barak Valley at the Vijay Sankalp Samaroh at Ramnagar here, the Prime Minister launched his party’s campaign for the ensuing Lok Sabha election saying, “The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) will submit its report on the Bill in Parliament on january 7 and the Bill, which ensures safety and security to the displaced communities, the Bengali Hindus in particular, will soon be passed.”
He added that no genuine Indian citizen will have to leave the country and India will always keep its doors open to welcome people willing to come here being victims of displacement.
While the much-debated Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 would be an answer to the misdeeds of the Congress government in the form of the divisions of the country, proper implementation of the NRC and Clause 6 of the Accord will end the unrest as sought by divisive forces, he added.
“The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill will end decades-old problem for the people of Assam and restore the pride of the people of Barak and Brahmaputra valleys,” he said.
“The government has also decided to implement the Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, which had remained stuck from the past 30-35 years. Clause 6 assures protection to the identity and culture of Assamese people,” the Prime Minister said.
“I am aware of the trouble and pain endured by the people in the NRC update process, but let me tell you that this is being for a greater cause. I thank Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and his government machinery for working tirelessly to accomplish the massive task.
The Prime Minister slammed the Congress party for its attempts to disrupt the pace of progress and said that the BJP-led government will continue to work for the development of the country. “Our vision is Act East and Act Fast on East and we shall strive to live up to the tasks,” he maintained.
PTI adds: “I am indebted to the people of Assam for voting the BJP in the recent panchayat elections and I am committed to repay this debt by ensuring the development of the State,” he promised.
Recalling his inauguration of the country’s longest rail-cum-road bridge at Bogibeel in Upper Assam on December 25, Modi said, “I am fortunate to be with the people of Assam for the second time in 10 days. The Barak and Brahmaputra valleys are a source of inspiration not only for the State but also for the country.”
The Prime Minister arrived at Silchar from Imphal as part of his first phase of poll campaign, wherein he is scheduled to address rallies in 20 States in 100 days before the Model Code of Conduct comes into force.
The BJP and its allies are targeting to win 21 out of the 25 parliamentary seats in the 8 States in the NE region, and in Assam the party aims to win at least 11 of the 14 seats.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, BJP had made massive inroads in Assam, winning 7 of the 14 parliamentary seats and in the 2016 Assembly polls the party emerged as the single largest party with 61 seats, while its alliance partners AGP and BPF had won 14 and 12 seats respectively. – PTI
