Assam's BJP govt trying to drive out Bengalis: Oppn

The Opposition in the Lok Sabha accused the BJP government in Assam of hatching a conspiracy to drive out the Bengali-speaking population from the state by not listing the names of lakhs of  people in a draft national citizen register created in the state.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, however, dismissed the Opposition's charge, calling it "baseless".

He said people whose names have not appeared in the draft NCR can approach the tribunal to enter their names into it.

"The NCR work is following a Supreme Court order. There is no need for anyone to feel concerned. If someone's name has not appeared in the list,  they can approach the tribunal  to enter it. It is a baseless allegation that some people are being driven out," Singh said.

TMC  member Saugata Roy had raised the issue during Zero Hour on Thursday.

He said the names of 1.3 crore people, out of the total population of 3.29 crore in Assam, had not appeared in the first draft of NCR, which aims at identifying illegal immigrants.

"We fear this is a conspiracy to drive out the Bengali-speaking people from Assam. Our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also said so," Roy said.

Members of the Congress and the Left parties came out in support of the TMC member, demanding an answer from the government.

Congress member from Assam, Sushmita Dev, stormed into the Well raising the issue.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, while refusing  members to stretch the issue further, said, "The home minister has already assured that no body's name will be deleted. You should appreciate that. Go back to your seats. I understand your sentiments."