Oppn disunited on Citizenship Bill strategy

New Delhi, December 6

As the government plans to introduce the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 in Lok Sabha on Monday, the Opposition appears disunited on floor strategy in the two Houses of Parliament. After two rounds of discussion among 12 non-BJP parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, NCP, RJD and DMK, no consensus emerged on specific floor management in respect of the Bill that allows Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Derek O Brien, TMC leader in Rajya Sabha, said while all 12 Opposition parties met, “each one would plan individual tactics.”

“Congress’ RS MP and Assam Congress chief Ripun Bora presented the view from Assam which has been burning after a flawed implementation of the National Register of Citizens. We all decided that for the next four days until Monday, we will fight the canards the ruling BJP is spreading on the Citizenship Amendment Bill and communicate to the people,” Brien said. — TNS