AGP shelves proposed resolution against citizenship bill for the time being

GUWAHATI: Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), BJP's ally in Assam government, shelved its move to bring a resolution opposing Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the cabinet meeting on Friday after being assured that the matter will be discussed in the coordination committee meeting of allies.

After a marathon meeting on Thursday, AGP had decided to move the resolution opposing the bill.

Several organisations in the state want chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal to take a Meghalaya-like stand, where Conard Sangma led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) which also has BJP in the coalition has decided against the bill.


Senior AGP leader Ramendra Narayan Kalita said, "The chief minister had a discussion with three ministers of AGP and assured them the whole issue would be discussed in an upcoming meeting of the allies. We are satisfied with the chief minster’s assurance."

Industry minister Chandra Mohan Patwary said, "The chief minister is having a discussion on the bill with 28 organisations, including the All Assam Students Union. He has assured AGP leaders that the government would not do anything which is against the interest of Assam."

There is pressure on AGP to snap ties with BJP, but several of its leaders prefer to stay in the government and continue opposing the bill. The party's stand is to oppose the bill.