JPC alleges privilege motion against Himanta Biswa Sarma

November 28: The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 has become the bone of contention between Himanta Biswa Sarma,heavyweight cabinet minister of Assam and Paresh Baruah, Commander-in-chief of United Liberation Front of Asom, Independent (ULFA(I). State Finance Minister Sarma stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would withdraw the Citizenship Bill, if the outlawed ULFA-I’s chief Paresh Baruah surrenders and joins mainstream.

This statement of Himanta Biswa Sarma received sharp reactions from the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in its meeting held on Tuesday. The JPC formed for the purpose of submitting a report on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 had a prolonged meeting wherein the issue of Himanta transgressing his limit was raised. They raised the issue that how can Himanta, who is not a member of JPC comment on this matter which is outside his purview.

The members of JPC took note of this comment made by the state minister in a press meet held in Guwahati on last Sunday. On the face of it, members urged upon the Chairperson to raise privilege motion against Himanta Biswa Sarma. Saugata Roy, MP of Trinamool Congress (TMC) said who is Himanta to dictate what the JPC ought to do. He expressed surprise and said “From where does Himanta gets so much of audacity? He is neither the President nor the Prime Minister.” The stand taken by TMC was also supported by many of the members of JPC. It has been learnt that some of the JPC members belonging to BJP also shared the same views with the TMC on this issue.

However, though allegation of privileged motion was raised against Himanta Biswa Sarma, but no decision was arrived at on this matter. It has been learnt that this issue might be discussed in the next meeting of JPC.