War of words between Himanta and Paresh

November 26: BJPs pet project, the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 met with strong opposition from political parties, ethnic organisations and other pressure groups primarily in the Brahmaputra Valley. On the face of it, even the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) appointed for this purpose has not yet been able to finalise its report. The JPC is expected to meet for the final time on 27 November after which it will submit its report to be placed in the winter session of the Parliament to be commenced from 11 December.

The bill has now 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 controversial Bill if the outlawed ULFA-I’s chief Paresh Baruah surrenders and joins mainstream. Himanta further lambasted those who are opposing the Bill and remarked, “It is being said that 1.5 crore people will come to Assam if the Bill is passed…what is the basis of such statements? From where did they get this figure as the Bill is yet to be passed.”

On the flip side, ULFA(I) Chief Paresh Baruah seemed to be adamant in his decision against surrender. According to media reports Paresh Baruah has said, “If the demand of sovereign Assam is met, I will make Himanta Biswa Sarma the first Prime Minister of it.” In a recent interview with The Week, Baruah is quoted to have said, “I will not surrender. I can’t betray the cause for which I joined this struggle. I have no issues if the government of India offers to hold talks with me. The Assam government would have no role in it, as it is the Central government that has to deal with me. I would also like to make it clear that the Government of India would have to set aside the Indian Constitution while talking to me. ”