NPP will not accept Citizenship Bill: Conrad Sangma

SHILLONG/TURA, Apr 8: Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) national president Conrad K Sangma today said that his party will never accept the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released its manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls which they have included the Citizenship bill.

Conrad said that we have been very particular that this is a Bill we will not accept.

“We have been very clear and we have fought against it and were able to stall it,” the NPP national president added.

According to the NPP national president, he had discussed the Bill with leaders of the BJP and reiterated the sentiments of the people of the northeast who are against the passing of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

Conrad also pointed out that although the NPP was in coalition with the BJP, he however made it clear that they were two different parties having different ideologies.

Meanwhile, in Shillong deputy chief minister and NPP leader, Prestone Tynsong said that said that the NPP was firm in opposing the CAB adding that the party would continue to fight against the bill.

NPP state president, Dr Wanwei Roy Kharlukhi reminded that the party was formed to protect the indigenous tribes of the region.

“When it comes to the interest of our people we will fight any party,” Dr Kharlukhi said.

The NPP national president also reminded about the resolution of the NPP during its general executive council earlier this year where it had resolved to opt out of the NDA if the Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha.