Alleging that the following “NRC fiasco” in Assam the BJP government at the Centre has shifted gears and only talking about NPR, former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said that NPR is nothing but “NRC in disguise.”
“As far as we are concerned NPR is a disguised NRC and we will not agree on the NPR being rolled out on April 1, 2020, said Chidambaram.
Speaking to reporters in Kolkata Chidambaram said that for the “sake of the country” all parties opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and NPR should come together. Asked about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s decision of not attending the meeting of opposition parties against CAA on January 13 he said parties that are “fighting separately” against CAA and NPR will someday come on one platform.
“I don’t want to answer to allegation and charges. The fact is we are trying to build a united opposition against the CAA and NPR. We have succeeded substantially. Some parties are fighting separately. Hopefully, someday they will all come on a united platform,” said Chidambaram.
Even as he avoided directly responding to questions regarding the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo’s decision of skipping the opposition meeting Chidambaram said that he is “confident” that someday they will come on one platform.
“Mrs. Sonia Gandhi made an attempt to invite as many parties as possible. Twenty parties participated in the meeting and some didn’t. That doesn’t mean it is the final word,” said Chidambaram.
As for Chief Secretaries of Congress ruled states Chidambaram said that he has no doubt that Congress Chief Ministers will take a “position consistent” with the Congress Working Committee’s resolution.
“Participation doesn’t mean acquiescence or acceptance. Several Chief Secretaries who attended the meeting pointed out the pit falls in the NPR so that they can come back top report to their respective Chief Ministers so the Chief Ministers can take a final position,” said Chidambaram.