Cong leader says he will join BJP-led NEDA if it is ready to oppose the CAB

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 19, 2019

SHILLONG: Opposition Congress leader Ronnie V Lyngdoh on Tuesday said he is ready to join the BJP-led North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) if its convener Himanta Biswa Sarma opposes the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), 2016. 

The MDC from Mylliem made this statement while participating in the discussion on the resolution seeking exemption of the CAB in tribal areas moved by executive member in-charge Land and United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Titosstarwell Chyne during the winter session of the KHADC here. 

Lyngdoh while expressing concern over the negative impact of the CAB on the indigenous population recalled that Himanta Biswa Sarma had clearly stated that the Centre is determined to implement the CAB at any cost. 

He also asked the UDP, being a partner of the BJP-led alliance, to take up the matter with the NEDA and convinced its convener to strongly oppose against the CAB. 

“Please take it up with the NEDA and ensure that the CAB does not become an Act. If he (Himanta) agrees to oppose the CAB, I am ready to join the NEDA,” Lyngdoh told the House. 

According to him, it may not be feasible to exempt Meghalaya from the purview of the CAB once it is implemented since the state is also part of India.   

The UDP is heading the United Democratic Alliance-led executive committee in the KHADC.

The former minister further urged the KHADC chief Teinwell Dkhar to also request the intervention of Himanta Biswa Sarma to ensure the Prime Minister and Union home minister do not implement the CAB. 

He also slammed the BJP-led NDA government for attempting to wipe out the indigenous tribes of the North East region by implementing CAB to grant citizenship to illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

“CAB will fulfill the hidden agenda of the BJP but we don’t want Meghalaya to become the next Tripura,” he said. 

Ramrai-Jyrngam MDC Bajop Pyngrope on the other hand said that the Congress will further intensify its agitation against the CAB.