Congress attacks Narendra Modi government over CAA: ‘Designed to polarise elections’

CAA implementation has come under criticism from the opposition which has questioned why it has been done ahead of the Lok Sabha elections due in April-May.

Updated on: Mar 11, 2024, 21:10:16 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Opposition parties on Monday lashed out at the Modi government for implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The parties questioned the timing of the move which has come ahead of the Lok Sabha elections due in April-May.

The CAA issue had led to massive protests in 2020. (Burhaan Kinu/HT PHOTO)

Also Read: Central government implements Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)

“It has taken four years and three months for the Modi Government to notify the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act that was passed by the Parliament in December 2019. The Prime Minister claims that his Government works in a business-like and time-bound manner. The time taken to notify the rules for the CAA is yet another demonstration of the Prime Minister’s blatant lies,” Jairam Ramesh, the communication head of the Congress, posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Ramesh also accused the Centre of trying to ‘manage’ headlines after the Supreme Court, earlier in the day, turned down the State Bank of India's (SBI) plea seeking extension to June 30 of the apex court's March 6 deadline to SBI to submit electoral bond data.

“After seeking nine extensions for the notification of the rules, the timing right before the elections is evidently designed to polarise the elections, especially in West Bengal and Assam. It also appears to be an attempt to manage the headlines after the Supreme Court’s severe strictures on the Electoral Bonds Scandal,” he added.

Also Read: Explained | What is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)?

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, meanwhile, appealed to people to ‘be calm and avoid rumours.’

“You should have notified rules six months ago. If there are any good things, we always support and appreciate but if anything is done that is not good for the country, TMC will always raise its voice and oppose it. I know why today's date was chosen before Ramazan,” she said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk Hunger Strike LIVE and more across India.