UDP resolves to oppose CAA

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 23, 2020

SHILLONG: The United Democratic Party (UDP), which is the main ally of the ruling MDA, has unanimously decided to oppose the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 and hope that the Supreme Court will pass an order that will be in line with the aspiration of the people.

The decision was taken by the central executive committee during a meeting chaired by its president Metbah Lyngdoh, also the Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, here on Thursday.

The UDP is one of the biggest regional parties in the state and is a member of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA).

After the meeting, chief adviser of the party and former deputy chief minister Bindo M Lanong told reporters that the party has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the Government of India on the issue of CAA, whose constitutionality has been challenged by various groups.

“We hope that the three-judge Bench of the Court will go in sync with the aspirations of the people of the country,” Lanong, also a nominated member of the KHADC said.

Asked, general secretary of the party, Jemino Mawthoh said there is need to appreciate the efforts taken by the MDA government by bringing all stakeholders including pressure groups and adopt a resolution to oppose the CAA and also seek for total exemption of the entire state from the Act.

Stating that the passing of the CAA is a wake up call for all the North East states including Meghalaya, Mawthoh said, “We have woken up from our slumber and we have to capitalized from the fact that this has been said in the floor of the House by the union home minister that due consideration will be given to the NE and exemption has been made although the Centre’s approach is fragmented.”

“We have been battling for the last four decades now as far as the issue of illegal immigration and influx is concerned. This is the right time for the state to come up with something which is very concrete for the protection and safeguard of the indigenous people,” he added.

On the allegation of the Congress that the MDA is trying to convince the people of the state to accept the CAA, the former legislator of Nongthymmai said in principle, the state government is opposing the Act.

“There is also hue and cry across the country and in principle we are very much against the CAA because we don’t see any rational here but let us also wait for the interpretation of the Supreme Court,” he said.

Lanong however asked the opposition Congress to refrain from politicizing the issue. “If the Congress is blind and deaf then it is better not to hear them because they know very well that even the NPP has openly stated, had even gone to Delhi and met the government to express their views on this that the entire Meghalaya should be exempted…so if they like to make political overtone, we have nothing to say as it is their duty because they are in the opposition. However, I think they have to be true to the state of things going on and talk straight without mincing words and politicizing the issue for political mileage and political gain,” he said.

Whether the UDP will come out of the NEDA, Mawthoh however reiterated that their focus being its members was on development of the NE that other issues should be left aside.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to stay the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, declining to take note of protests and anti-CAA resolutions by the Kerala and Punjab assemblies.

The court had said the petitions would be heard by a five judge constitution bench and granted the Centre four weeks to file a comprehensive response.