CAA dangerous, draconian; is poll issue: Banerjee

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday termed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) "dangerous and draconian" and said it will be a big issue for her party in the coming Lok Sabha polls.

Referring to Assam CM's comments on the CAA, Banerjee said, "It is a political gimmick by the BJP. The Assam CM also said no one will get profit from it. BJP has brought this ahead of the election for political benefit. It has brought the CAA just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. We are not supporting the CAA, which is very much related to the NRC (National Register of Citizens)."

She told media persons that the BJP's intention behind implementing the CAA was only to win votes in the upcoming general election.


"Four forms have been given. One whose age is 40-50, where will they get their parents' form?" Banerjee said. "The Act was brought in 2020 and after that passed four years back. But nothing was done with it in this period. Earlier, DMs (district magistrates) gave citizenship. There is no clarity. Now, two days before the election announcement, BJP has done it for votes, with the intent of winning two seats."

She said a few days ago, Aadhaar cards were getting cancelled and that if Aadhaar is cancelled, all rights will go away. "We immediately intervened and stopped it," she said.