BJP cautions: Don't allow illegal immigrants to get UID

"BJP welcomes the government step of giving UID cards to tribals today but wants to draw its attention to the fact that these should be made for Indians alone as Indian money is involved. It should also take precautions in border areas where illegal immigrants should not get it and claim citizenship," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.

Ten adivasis from the tribal hamlet of Tembhli in Nandurbar district of Maharashtra today became the first to receive the Unique Identity cards from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

The principal opposition has often raised the issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh into India, especially in the states of Assam, West Bengal and the North-East.

It has in the past accused the Congress of being soft on illegal migration for "minority appeasement" and votebank politics, and further alleged that this was leading to changes in the demographic profile of state like Assam.

Hussain said the scheme of providing UID card is praise-worthy but it should not become a ground for vote-bank politics.

"BJP has for long maintained that there should be a check on illegal immigration," the Lok Sabha MP said.