Tripura BJP opposed tribal parties move against amendment of Citizenship bill

Agartala, Jan 24: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tripura state committee opposed the united movement of three major tribal parties - INPT, IPFT and NCT against proposed amendment Citizenship Act, 1955 and opined that it would help the Left front government to retain in power. Addressing the media here today BJP State President Biplab Kumar Deb and party Observer Sunil Deodhar said the leaders of the parties were not aware of the status of the proposed bill. Organising protest against the Central government without any understanding of the amendment would not help to protect the interest of the tribals. “The tribal wing of the BJP has decided to meet the Parliamentary Committee Chief of the bill soon to discuss the apprehension of the tribal people here. The committee will be invited in Tripura even before finalising the draft bill to meet the people on their view over the bill. The draft will be tabled in the Parliament after the committee comprising of all party MPs satisfied with the provisions,” Mr Deodhar said. He argued that there is no point of being worried about the bill, as maximum part of the proposed amendment of Citizenship Bill is not relevant for Tripura and whatever little part is related to the state BJP would ensure its implementation protecting the rights of tribal people. “We have been working on elevating the status of tribal autonomous district council to state council for empowerment of ADC and shortly it will be submitted to the Central government. But any such move will be fruitful only when the state assembly will pass it. So, I could not understand why are they resorting agitation against the Central government,” Mr Deodhar added. The party president Deb, however, stated that the BJP would not support the strike called by three tribal parties in autonomous district council area on February 8 next followed by demonstration in New Delhi protesting amendment of Citizenship bill and more power to Tripura ADC. “We have been persuading for united opposition to vote out the Left front government from the state in the next assembly election and the process has indicated a considerable progress. But if any party or group unnecessarily go for fight with the Modi led government at the Centre; obliviously we cannot support them. Again I welcome all the oppositions to come together to dislodge the communist government,” Mr Deb stated. Meanwhile, IPFT President N C Debbarma said they would not go for any party, which does not support and work for the interest of the tribal community of the state.