Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday assured the people of Assam that no genuine citizen will be left out of the NRC and said the citizenship bill will soon be passed in Parliament to make amends for past injustices.
Flagging off BJP's Lok Sabha poll campaign in the Northeast, he told the Vijay Sankalp Rally at Kalinagar near Silchar that he is aware of the problems, concerns and difficulties faced by many during the NRC process.
“I assure you no injustice will be done to any genuine Indian citizen... A problem hanging for decades is reaching its conclusion and this has been possible due to your sacrifices. Continuous effort is being made to ensure that all people are heard and they face least difficulty in the process.”
The government in a bid to simplify the entire NRC process had made a special appeal before the Supreme Court to accept the relief eligibility certificate and other related government documents.
"I am happy the Supreme Court has accepted the government's appeal and this has benefited lakhs of people in making their claims," Modi said.
On the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, he said the BJP-led NDA government is moving ahead with it.
“The government is also moving ahead with the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. It is linked with emotions and related to peoples’ lives. It is not for the benefit of anyone but a penance against the injustice and many wrongs done in the past. I hope the Bill will be passed soon in Parliament.”PM Narendra Modi
Modi also spoke about his government's decision to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord that has been "hanging" for 35 years.
“Now the road is clear to safeguard social, cultural and linguistic identity of Assam. I am indebted to the people of Assam for voting for the BJP in the recent panchayat elections and I am committed to repay this debt by ensuring the development of the state.”PM Narendra Modi
Recalling his inauguration of the country's longest rail-cum-road bridge at Bogibeel in upper Assam on 25 December, Modi said, "I am fortunate to be with the people of Assam for the second time in 10 days. The Barak and Brahmaputra valleys are a source of inspiration not only for the state but also for the country.”
The prime minister arrived at Silchar in Cachar district from Imphal as a part of his first phase of poll campaign, where he is scheduled to address rallies in 20 states in 100 days before the model code of conduct comes into force.
The BJP and its allies is setting the target to win 21 out of the 25 parliamentary seats in eight states in the region and in Assam the party hopes to win at least 11 of the14 seats.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, BJP had made massive gain in Assam winning seven of its 14 parliamentary seats and in the 2016 assembly polls, the party emerged as the single largest party with 61 seats while its alliance partners AGP and BPF won 14 and 12 seats respectively.
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