GUWAHATI, Oct 29 - Former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that the proposed move to grant citizenship to illegal migrants from minority communities by the Centre will directly hurt the very intention with which the National Register of Citizen (NRC) is being updated.
Gogoi also criticised the State Government for trying to override the clauses of the Assam Accord, which sets 1971 as the cut-off year, by supporting the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
�I do not know why they are in such a haste to grant citizenship to illegal migrants,� Gogoi said while addressing the media at the Rajiv Bhawan here today.
Meanwhile, the Hills State Demand Council (HSDC) has agreed to leave the Baithalangso seat to the Congress party in the ensuing by-election as per a formal understanding with the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC).
Gogoi, while welcoming the development, said that the Congress party will join hands with all progressive and secular forces.
At the joint press conference hosted by APCC and the HSDC, leaders of both the parties agreed to fight the ensuing polls in alliance. A joint statement issued by them stated that the decision was taken after a series of discussions on the rise of communal and divisive forces in the State.
�Both the parties felt the need to unite the secular forces to protect the secular fabric of the society,� the statement said. Apart from the forthcoming bypolls, all the other upcoming elections in the hill district will also be fought in coalition, the release stated.
Both the parties, as part of the alliance, also decided to take up the longstanding demand for the formation of an autonomous State comprising Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, and also oppose the policy of the government to confer scheduled tribe (hills) status to the Bodo Kacharis of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts.
Dr Jayanta Rongpi of HSDC also criticised the BJP governments, both at the Centre and in the State, for failing to deliver the goods.
