From Bhupen Goswami
GUWAHATI : In Assam, the same issue on which the BJP came to power on the nrc issue during the assembly elections has now become a source of crisis for the party. Because their own leaders have now opened up against it. With the formation of a new government in Assam, the nrc issue is once again heating up. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, when asked about the National Citizen Registration (NRC), has clarified that his government wants re-verification of 20 per cent names in border districts of Assam and 10 per cent names in other areas. He said that if negligible mistakes are found, we can take further action with the existing NRC. B
JP leaders say there was a big game in the NRC. Only a large number of Hindus were excluded. For the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is a trump ace to take power in Assam. In fact, it has used nrc for the entire North-East. The only State where this concept has been tossed is West Bengal. Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said his government intends to review the NRC as it believes that several illegal infiltrators were prepared by former NRC coordinator Pratik Hajela. There has been a difference between barak valley and brahmaputra valley since time immemorial. The notorious Assam movement was led to drive out illegal infiltrators from assam soil. Bengali Hindus and Muslims have always been considered uninvited guests in Assam.
So far, the Congress has managed to retain its Muslim vote bank and has managed to win seats from Barak Valley. Today, the scenario has changed after the Muslim community divided the vote bank. The dynamic has changed after the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) entered the political arena. Taking advantage of this situation, the BJP has emerged as a major political force in the Barak Valley. The saffron brigade has been able to cash in on the votes of the Hindu community who are feeling like a ‘left out’ community for the Congress. Bjp’s Hindutva image has undoubtedly taken political advantage in south Assam. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) supremo Mohan Bhagwat’s access to the Muslim community clearly indicates that the BJP has realised that it will be difficult for the saffron camp to replicate its spectacular 2019 performance in the 2024 general elections.
The Brahmaputra Valley also has a good number of Hindu Bengalis. From the point of view of the common man, this controversial issue could create more difficulties for the BJP across the North-East.Though the BJP government will try to bring the NRC properly, it hardly says anything on the CAA. A prominent party leader has said that the government has now been formed and the biggest challenge before it is to deal with Covid-19. Then, there are a lot of issues which will be taken up on priority, but the citizens of Assam will be concerned at all costs. The government will also take strict cognizance of the issue of infiltrators.
