Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Cong seeks all-party meet on NRC

By Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI, July 30 - The Congress today asked the Centre to immediately convene an all-party meeting on the NRC issue and inform the Opposition on the proposed steps to ensure that no Indian citizen is left out.

Senior party spokesperson Anand Sharma said till all matters related to the NRC are disposed of, people and families should not be separated and the matters be kept in abeyance. �There should be no politics over the issue,� he said.

The NRC issue is of international importance as it affects relation with neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, he said, adding that it also has inter- and intra-state repercussions. �Questions have been asked over the methodology being followed in finalising the NRC. It raises question marks on the credibility of the process,� he said.

He also urged the government to remove shortcomings in the entire process and that all issues be settled as per the 1985 Assam Accord signed in the presence of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The problems should be sorted out within the ambit of the Assam Accord, he said.

Briefing newsmen, Assam Congress president and Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora said that 40 lakh is a big figure and he fails to understand how it is possible that such large number of names were left out of the final draft of NRC.

Alleging that it was quite possible that there might be discrepancy in the scrutiny process, he said the Congress Party would not sit silently and �raise the issue in the Parliament.�

Former Union minister and Congress leader Paban Singh Ghatowar said that scrutiny of names should be done in a transparent manner and not on the basis of religion and caste.

Meanwhile, Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi tweeted: �Today I request my Congress party workers to help all genuine Indian citizens in Assam excluded in draft NRC � Hindu, Muslim, Bengali speaking or tribal. Irrespective of their political affiliation, Congress party is the only party speaking for their rights.�

On the other hand, Jamiat-Ulama-e-Hind chief Arshad Madani appealed for maintaining peace and tranquillity and said he is personally monitoring the situation in Assam. He said that there is still chance of changes in the draft NRC.

Next Story