NEW DELHI, Jan 7 - With the Modi Government all set to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 on Tuesday, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) was left with little option but to announce their decision to pull out of the BJP-led ruling coalition Government in Assam.
An AGP delegation led by its president and State Minister Atul Bora and few of his close confidants were camping in the capital since Saturday. But as the event unfolded on Monday morning it became clear that the NDA Government at the Centre is adamant on passing the Bill.
Appointment was sought and Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh called them over to his Akbar Road residence. Bora was accompanied by State Ministers Keshab Mahanta, Phani Bhusan Choudhury and Biren Baishya among others.
At the meeting, the Union Home Minister conveyed that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill will be tabled and passed tomorrow. Bora then conveyed that there was no option for them but to quit the alliance, said sources, who were present at the meeting.
Later, the AGP delegation briefed the media and said that after their meeting with Singh there was no question of staying with the BJP-led alliance in Assam. The AGP is opposed to Bill and it is now clear that the Bill will come for passage tomorrow.
Bora said that the next course of action by the AGP will be announced in Guwahati. The delegation left for Assam by the evening flight.
Talking to this newspaper, Bora said that he would like to thank all the Opposition parties as well as NDA allies who rallied behind AGP. The regional party had been lobbying with opposition parties to oppose the Bill. The Shiv Sena a BJP ally had yesterday extended support to AGP and announced its opposition to the Bill.
Meanwhile, the protest against the Bill gathered momentum, with a group of KMSS activists staging a nude protest in front of the Parliament gate. The group raised slogans against the Bill as well as against the BJP, catching the security personnel by surprise.
Inside the Parliament premises, a four-member Congress delegation led by State PCC president, Ripun Bora staged a demonstration opposing the Bill.
Later talking to this newspaper, Bora said that they will oppose the Bill describing it as a conspiracy by the Prime Minister to finish Assam. �Modi will finish Assam and 2019 should be a referendum to change Modi Government,� Bora said.
