Assam: AGP to move resolution opposing Citizenship (amendment) Bill

GUWAHATI: Attempting to take a Meghalaya-like stand on the Citizenship (amendment) Bill 2016, BJP’s ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) will move a resolution in a special cabinet meeting on Friday opposing the bill.

Already there is pressure on chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal to take a stand like Meghalaya's, where Conard Sangma-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) — which also has BJP in the coalition — has decided against the bill.

Sonowal will hold discussions with 28 agitating organisations including the All Assam Students Union (Aasu) on Friday. This is being seen as the chief minister's attempt to reach out to these organisations.


AGP on Thursday held a meeting to discuss the emerging situation. Ever since the visit of the Joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on Citizenship, Assam has plunged into a series of protests.

For the time being, AGP is not considering snapping ties with BJP, and will continue to oppose the bill from within the government.

AGP president and Assam agriculture minister Atul Bora told ET, "There was a discussion in today's meeting on moving a resolution opposing the bill in the cabinet."

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday met chief minister Sonowal and assured that the Centre will take any further step regarding the bill only after thorough consultation with all stakeholders. All efforts will be made to address the concerns of the people of Assam in this regard, he said.

Meanwhile, in an unprecedented move, former chief ministers Tarun Gogoi and Prafulla Kumar Mahanta — who are political opponents of each other — addressed a gathering organised by Left parties and forums against the bill in Guwahati.