Author: PTI
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: August 6, 2008
Supporting the BJP's stand on the migration
of Bangladeshis to the country, NCP General Secretary PA Sangma has accused
the Congress and the Left of appeasing the illegal migrants.
Apprehending there would be influx of refugees
to the tune of 15 million from the neighbouring country in the near future,
Sangma lauded the saffron party's stand on the issue.
"The Congress and the CPI(M) are appeasing
the illegal migrants, everyone knows it. Both parties are concerned about
losing their vote banks and are silent on the issue. BJP is a better party
in this respect," Sangma said an interview to a local TV channel last
evening.
Even the tribal populace as well as Christians
came in support of BJP on the issue, the former Lok Sabha Speaker said.
"None of the Governments in the seven
north-eastern States are serious about the issue. All the Governments and
the parties of the region should sit together and discuss it before it is
too late," the nine-time MP said.
Describing reports about a Pakistani national
contesting Assembly polls in Assam as 'ominous portent', he said: "The
Assam Accord failed to solve the issue. The State has spent over Rs 400 crore
in 20 years in the name of detection and deportation of Bangladeshis, yet
the exercise was a mere farce.
"The situation in West Bengal is similar
to that of the NE, yet the Left Gront Government has been silent fearing erosion
of its block votes," he alleged.
Sangma said Indian citizens should be identified
first and issued citizenship certificates. "Those who don't have it,
should be deported," he suggested.
