GUWAHATI, April 20 - The Opposition Congress has alleged that the NDA Government has failed to address the issue of illegal migrants.
Addressing media persons here on Friday, former Meghalaya Chief Minister and chairman of the North East Congress Coordination Committee Dr Mukul Sangma said that 82,000 illegal immigrants were deported during the 10 years of the UPA Government, while only 1,822 illegal immigrants were deported in the past five years of the NDA regime.
Sangma said that the united struggle of the people of the North East forced the NDA Government�s hands on the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, but cautioned that the BJP was determined to bring back the Bill.
He accused the Narendra Modi-led Government of working against the interests of the North East and mentioned scrapping of the Special State Category status, discontinuation of the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP) and slashing of DoNER Ministry funds as examples.
�The NDA Government failed to address the contentious issues affecting the North East and that has led to growth in mistrust among the various States of this region,� Sangma said.
He said that the Congress party has done well in the North East during the first two phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls and exuded confidence of doing even better in the constituencies which would vote during the third phase on April 23.
�The ongoing elections are very crucial. The inclusive nature of India is under threat. Sustainability of democracy is under threat. Freedom of citizens has been curtailed. The need of the hour is to save democracy by removing the BJP from power,� Sangma said.
