Bihar: Mahagathbandhan Questions Timing of CAA to ‘Divert’ People’s Attention From Real Issues

Patna: The Opposition RJD, CPI(M) and CPI(ML),major allies of the Mahagathbandhan, have questioned the decision of the BJP-led Central government to implement Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the country ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. They said the move was to divert the attention of people from issues like berozgari (unemployment), mehngai (price rise), electoral bonds and growing disparity.

Bihar witnessed widespread protests, including shutdown, dharna, marches and rallies against CAA as well as the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in 2019. Then Opposition Mahagathbandhan had played a role in mobilising people to protest against it.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader (RJD) leader and former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav said that the notification of rules to implement CAA in 2019 was part of the strategy of the BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cover up its failures on basis issues of employment, price rise and others.

"It is an attempt to divert people's attention from real issues before upcoming polls", Tejashwi, who is Leader of the Opposition said.

"People are angry and fed up with the Modi-led government due to failures on all fronts. People are demanding jobs, good education, health facilities, development and employment. Unemployment and joblessness are major concern for youths and others are hard hit by inflation and growing disparity", he said.

Tejashwi Yadav said the ruling BJP was scared of people and was trying to play with something that was not demanded by people.

CPI(M) state secretary Lalan Chaudhary said the notification of rules for implementation of CAA on the eve of parliamentary election is a brazen attempt to polarise the masses on communal lines for electoral gains.

"In the wake of the recent direction of the apex court to submit the details of electoral bonds before the Election Commission which threatens to expose the nexus between the present Modi regime with crony corporate sectors, necessitated this move so that the attention of the people can be diverted from the biggest scam of the present regime," the CPI(M) leader said on Tuesday.

He said the party demands the immediate withdrawal of the CAA law and calls upon all party units of the state to organise protests by burning effigies of Home Minister Amit Shah.

CPI(ML) leader Dhirendra Jha said BJP and the Modi- led Central government are hell bent on polarising people for votes ahead of upcoming polls. "CAA is one of the tools for it", he said,

Jha said people now understand fully the move behind CAA. "Common people, including workers, farmers, vendors and women and jobless youths are unhappy with rising inflation, unemployment and growing disparity. CAA is a part of agenda of BJ- led central government to communalise citizenship issue," he added.

Tejashwi said there was anger among people against the Modi government and its failures. People, mainly youths, women and poor, have made up their minds to vote on basic issues of employment, price rise to oust the government.

There are no reports of any protest against CAA in the state so far.

However, ruling BJP's allies including JD-U of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) of Chirag Paswan, LJP of Union Minister Pasupati Kumar Paras, Hindustani Awam Morcha of former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and RLM of former Union Minister Upendar Kushwaha supported CAA.