BJP in spot over AIADMK’s poll vow to scrap CAA

Vibha Sharma

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 15

A poll promise by ally AIADMK has not only put the BJP in a spot in Tamil Nadu, but also given a handle to rivals in east Assam and West Bengal. According to NDA’s Tamil Nadu ally, if voted to power, it will urge the BJP-led Centre to scrap the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act. Meanwhile, the saffron party, which says the Tamil Nadu coalition is built on anti-corruption and development plank, has made it clear that “the CAA will not be scrapped”.

“DMK chief MK Stalin or anyone else can oppose it, the CAA will not be scrapped,” BJP general secretary in charge of Tamil Nadu CT Ravi tweeted. Meanwhile, sources say the BJP may release its own manifesto. The ruling AIADMK, in its manifesto on Sunday, made a slew of promises, including home appliances like washing machine and solar stoves, one govt job per home and dual citizenship for Sri Lankan refugees. There has been strong opposition to the CAA with several celebrities and the DMK pushing for its scarping and urging for citizenship to Sri Lankan Tamils.

While Stalin said his party would continue to urge the Centre to scrap the Act and confer citizenship on Sri Lankan Tamils living in refugee camps in India, Ravi questioned why his party did not do so while it was in power.