RS likely to take up Citizenship Bill on Feb 12
Spl Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Feb 5 - The Modi Government is likely to place the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 for debate and passage in the Rajya Sabha on February 12, government sources said.
The NDA government firmed up plans to bring the Bill after it opened negotiations with two major parties - Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) – seeking support to pass the Bill, said sources.
The NDA floor managers have so far managed to woo several smaller regional parties and are confident enough to sail through in the Rajya Sabha.
A nominated MP told this newspaper that plans have been firmed up to bring the Bill for debate and passage on February 12 and they have been sounded out to be present on that day. But the MP said that he has requested BJP’s top leadership not push hard but to find some sort of compromise formula to ensure that the North-East remains peaceful. “They are listening, but I can’t say what is in their mind,” he remarked.
A senior BJP MP from Assam also confirmed the development and said that his Party has managed the numbers and is going to get the Bill passed in Rajya Sabha.
As reported, the NDA has secured the support of BJD (9), AIADMK (13), TRS (6) and nominated (4) in favour of the CAB. The SP has 13 MPs and BSP (4).
Sources said that the Congress Party last night had sent feelers to both the regional parties to oppose the Bill but are yet to receive response from SP and BSP.
Yesterday, in Guwahati, BJP general secretary in-charge of North-East Ram Madhav said that CAB will be placed in Rajya Sabha for approval as supplementary Bill as talks are on with aggrieved parties to find a middle ground which will satisfy all.
“Home Ministry is talking to all the stakeholders and we are hopeful that a middle ground will be found soon, which will pave the way for passing of the Bill in upper house,” Madhav was quoted as having told a news agency.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Bhubaneswar Kalita said that the Rajya Sabha may witness a spill-over of business as it could not transact any business during the last two days. Rajya Sabha may discuss the President’s address on Wednesday and Thursday and with Friday being reserved for Private Member’s Bill, the discussion on the Budget will be pushed to next Monday and Tuesday. As a result only one day will be left for passage of six Bills, he informed.
The government, however, has the option to extend the House but it has to first take the sense of the House, he added.
Meanwhile, Advisor of the All Assam Students Union (AASU), Samujjal Bhattacharya reacting to the developments said that they are continuing the exercise of meeting leaders of various political parties. “We have told them it is their responsibility to save the North-East and Assam,” he said.
“It is the duty of all political parties to save the Assam Accord and ensure its implementation and they should protect Assam and North-East. He appealed to all political parties not to abstain but should be present in the House to ensure that the Bill is not passed,” the Advisor said.
Bhattacharya said that they will continue their agitation and if the Bill is passed they will turn it into a vigorous movement. “We will not be responsible if the situation deteriorates after this,” the Advisor warned.