Shillong Jan 9: Meghalaya Assembly Speaker and president of the United Democratic Party (UDP) Donkupar Roy accused the BJP-led NDA government of encouraging migration from Bangladesh to Northeast by going ahead with the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016.
“If there is migration, the direct threat is the indigenous people. For example, Tripura just because of migration within a short span of two decades, the Tripuri was reduced to minority. If we allow this to happen again, many indigenous people will become minorities in their own land. If we allowed migration from Bangladesh within 10 to 12 years we will be nowhere,” he said.

On the passage of the Bill in Lok Sabha, the Speaker said, “We cannot do anything because they have the numbers in Parliament and they have their own vision and interest. What I feel is this law should not be allowed to be implemented in Northeast.

He also termed the passage of the Bill as unwise decision without thinking for the indigenous people.

On relationship with the BJP-led In NDA, he said, “we don’t have MPs and we have nothing to do with the NDA because it is a coalition of MPs. In Meghalaya it is not a BJP lead government but NPP, UDP and other regional parties government. The BJP is insignificant in our MDA government. Though they are with the BJP, but I did not see them BJP in their heart. I don’t think there is BJP ideology with our MLAs.

Asked if the BJP would be removed from the MDA, Roy asked, “What is the benefit if we do like that (remove BJP) there will be no impact at all. Why are we putting our way of thinking that it will hurt among our partner MLAs. If there is impact, we have to sacrifice anyone. We Will stick with the principle in opposing this bill brought by the BJP. But more important is the MPs who should do something in Parliament. Our MPs from the Northeast should go to any extend even if they face arrest or suspension, if they think for our interest.”