Congress will never implement CAA if voted to power in Assam: Rahul Gandhi
Sivasagar (Assam), Feb 14: Accusing the BJP and RSS of dividing Assam, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that his party will protect every principle of the Assam Accord and will never implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act if voted to power in the state.
Addressing his first public rally in Assam ahead of the assembly elections due in March-April, Gandhi said that the state needs its "own chief minister" who will listen to the voice of the people and not one who listens only to Nagpur and Delhi.
"The Assam Accord has brought peace and it is the protector of the state. I and my party workers will protect each principle of the Accord. There will not be a single deviation from it," he said.
Gandhi said illegal immigration is an issue in Assam and exuded confidence that the people of the state have the capability to resolve the issue through dialogue.
Alleging that BJP and RSS are trying to divide the state on the issue of Assam Accord, he said, "If Assam is divided, then Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union Home Minister Amit Shah will not be affected, but the people of Assam and the rest of India will be affected."
Talking about the controversial CAA, the senior Congress leader said that if his party comes to power in the state, the law will not be implemented under any circumstance.
All party leaders, including Gandhi, were seen wearing 'Gamocha' (Assamese scarf), where symbolically the CAA word was crossed, giving a message against the controversial law.
Gandhi said Assam needs a chief minister from their "own people" who will listen to their issues and try to resolve them.
"Remote control can operate a TV but not a CM. The current CM listens to Nagpur and Delhi. If Assam gets a CM like this again, it will not benefit the people. The youths need a CM who will give jobs to them," he said.
Taking a dig at the prime minister, the Union home minister and "businessmen close to them", Gandhi said, "I have devised a new slogan for Assam -- Hum do, humare do; Assam ke liye humare aur do, aur sab kuch loot lo."
He alleged that natural resources and PSUs in the state are being "sold off" to two leading businessmen of the country.
Gandhi also accused the Modi government of "looting" public money during the COVID-19 pandemic and waiving huge amounts of loans of his "two businessmen friends".
He said that the Congress government under the leadership of former chief minister Tarun Gogoi had brought peace to Assam by ending the era of violence.
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Justice A.P. Shah terms 'One Nation, One Election' unconstitutional
New Delhi: Former Delhi High Court Chief Justice A.P. Shah has told a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) that the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE) Bill is unconstitutional and violates democratic principles and the federal structure, sources said.
Justice Shah, who is also a former chairman of the Law Commission, submitted a 12-page report while deposing before the JPC on Monday (March 18), The New Indian Express reported. He raised concerns over the bill, particularly regarding the power it grants to the Election Commission to recommend postponing state assembly elections.
Assembly elections must be held for full term: Justice Shah
Justice Shah stated that assembly elections should be held for a full five-year term and expressed skepticism over the claim that simultaneous elections would significantly reduce public expenditure. When asked about alternatives to the bill, he said he would present his views to the committee at a later stage.
Harish Salve defends the bill
Senior advocate Harish Salve also appeared before the JPC and supported the bill, arguing that it aligns with constitutional requirements.
ONOE bills introduced amid opposition resistance
Despite strong opposition citing threats to federalism and the basic structure doctrine, the bills facilitating 'One Nation, One Election' were introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2023.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 after a division vote. The introduction was approved with 269 votes in favour and 198 against.
The bills were subsequently referred to a JPC for further examination.
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