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'NRC is political vendetta of BJP, won't allow it in Bengal'

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made it clear in the state Assembly on Friday that she will not allow the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in Bengal and termed it as a tool on the part of the BJP to divide Hindus and Muslims and people who speak diverse languages. Banerjee's remark assumes significance as the BJP has been insisting on the implementation of the NRC in the state.

"The BJP-led government at the Centre wants to initiate NRC in Bengal as part of political vendetta. They want to divide people. We will never let BJP implement the NRC in Bengal," said the Chief Minister while participating in a discussion on the subject in the Assembly under Rule 185.

She also informed the House that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also made his stand clear on the issue and has asserted that he would not allow the exercise in his state.

Banerjee further argued that the Supreme Court had directed the NRC exercise in Assam because it was part of the Assam Accord. "What is applicable for Assam can't be extrapolated for the entire country," she maintained.

Coming down heavily on the saffron party over the recent developments in Assam, she said: "They went for the NRC in Assam with the intention to exclude Muslims from the NRC list. So, 41 lakh people were excluded from the primary NRC list. Later, when they found that they have not been able to fulfil their objective, the figure came down to 19 lakh and they insisted on incorporating the dropouts. Most of the dropouts in Assam are Bengalis. They have also excluded about one lakh Gorkhas," she claimed.

Banerjee then turned to the earmarked seat for Darjeeling MLA and said: "Where is our Darjeeling MLA? You voted for the BJP and see what BJP did for you," she said.

She told the House members that the NRC authorities in Assam did not even recognise the refugee cards that were handed over to those who came from East Pakistan during Partition and settled in Assam. Continued on P7

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