Shillong, Jun 3: The opposition Congress has decided to be alert and watchful on various agendas proposed to be implemented by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA government.

Leader of Opposition, Mukul Sangma on Monday said, the NDA government has resolved to proceed ahead with some of its agendas including the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), which in the preceding term, it could not legislate.

“The party will have to see the measures being taken to again bring this whole legislative proposal in the same format, how is it going to come, and whether the government of the day will try to push through this agenda irrespective of disapproval and opposition from certain parts of the country. We will have to be very watchful, and be on our toes. We have to be seen as a very alert and responsive opposition and we commit to the people that we will not be seen wanting on this,” Sangma told reporters.

Alleging the government of the day of taking many agendas in a “trial balloon,” he said, “They are trying to feel the pulse of the people and if they see that nothing will happen, they can crush the opposition who are microscopic in term of numbers and proceed ahead. That will be something which we will have to very cautious and watchful,” he said.

He said that the Opposition must also draw the attention of the government of the day that these types of strategies will ultimately lead to a kind of future that will be disastrous.

Sangma alleged that the BJP-led NDA government is proposing to abolish Article 35 (A) in respect to Jammu and Kashmir, which is part of its trial balloon exercise because similar provisions also exist for the North East states.

“Article 35 (A) provides special provision for Kashmiris to have ownership of their property and other separate special provisions for employment opportunities. Similar type of provision is there for the people of the North East including Meghalaya and other Sixth Scheduled areas. I am afraid that this whole exercise of the BJP-led government and particularly the agenda in respect to 35 (A) and their proposal to abolish it, should not be taken likely. There should not be complacency from the people who are going to be affected by a similar kind of adventurism in the long run if they (NDA) see nothing happens. I am afraid as there has been some political discourse being generated by asking ‘why can’t you have the right to purchase land in your own country,” he said.

Sangma said that his party both at the centre and the state would follow up on the new initiatives and policies of the NDA and manifesto with utmost caution and sense of responsibility.

“Contentious issues must be discussed by involving all stakeholders, and wherever we have challenges of not having consensus and acceptability, such must not be imposed upon,” Sangma said.