Bhubaneswar: After an hour-long debate, the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in the Lower House based on the division of votes with 293 in favour and 82 against it. And like previous instances, Narendra Modi-led BJP got the support of Biju Janata Dal for the CAB too.
After BJD voted in favour of CAB, party MP Bhartruhari Mahtab speaking to OTV said, "During the 16th Lok Sabha, I had recommended the Bill to be discussed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). There is no problem in the Bill which was tabled today as it was sent to JPC. We have supported it at the introduction stage as it does not violate any Article of the Indian Constitution. We had proposed three amendments while two have been accepted."
As per Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Bill seeks to provide Indian nationality to Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and Buddhists fleeing persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. However, Opposition Congress alleged that the Bill is 'unconstitutional' citing that it will take away the rights of Muslims.
Amid the growing controversy, Odisha Congress has also targeted the ruling-BJD over its invisible bonhomie with the BJP-led Centre. For them, the BJD has set a deal with BJP.
OPCC Chief Niranjan Patnaik said, "BJD has gone into self-defensive mode. The party is only shedding crocodile tears here in Odisha but remains silent in the Parliament. Why has CBI not taken any action against those involved in mining scam? All these things show that there is a nexus between both BJP and BJD."
"It's not that we will extend support to every single thing the BJP comes up with. But yes, we will support them if something is in favour of country, State or people. We have supported and will continue lending support in the future as well. Our deal is only with Odisha people, not with BJP," rued BJD Spokesperson Pratap Deb.
In response, BJP Spokesperson Golak Mohapatra opined that every party should support the Bill as it's beneficial for every citizen of the country.