Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, who took a bold decision to oppose the controversial Citizenship Bill, which his party wanted to be passed in Rajya Sabha, received a grand welcome here on Thursday.
The Manipur CM has also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the people of the state for receiving him in a grand manner.
It may be mentioned that while Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has received condemnations for supporting the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, Manipur CM N Biren has been welcomed for his stand against the Bill.
Also read: Citizenship Bill draws parallel between Sonowal, N Biren Singh
BJP leader N Biren also expressed his happiness as the Bill lapsed on the last day of Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
Hundreds of organisations across the Northeast including North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) continued protests in the last two months in Assam and other parts of the region against the contentious Bill.
The people of Manipur also vehemently opposed the Bill, which seeks to to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 for making Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian illegal migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan eligible for Indian citizenship.
The contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, which was passed in Lok Sabha on Januaey 8, 2019, could not be tabled on Wednesday and lapsed in the Rajya Sabha which was adjourned sine die on Wednesday.
Expressing his gratitude to the people of Manipur, N Biren on his Twitter handle on Thursday said: “My heartfelt gratitude to the people of my State for giving me the grandest reception today on my return from New Delhi after the CAB 2016 was not tabled in the Rajya Sabha.”
My heartfelt gratitude to the people of my State for giving me the grandest reception today on my return from New Delhi after the CAB 2016 was not tabled in the Rajya Sabha. pic.twitter.com/qpfstWpLs1
— Nongthombam Biren (@NBirenSingh) February 14, 2019
However, though the Bill could not be tabled and passed in the Rajya Sabha (where BJP lacks majority) due to disruptions with the opposition members opposing the Bill, N Biren has thanked the party leadership for not tabling the Bill in the Upper House.
“BJP central leadership responds positively to the state leaders even if the issue is nationally sensitive. Narendra Modiji is returning again as PM,” said N Biren Singh during the reception at Imphal.
“BJP central leadership responds positively to the state leaders even if the issue is nationally sensitive. Narendra Modiji is returning again as PM.” expressed Manipur CM N.Biren Singh during the reception at Imphal #peoplesCMwarmwelcome @NBirenSingh#vijaylaksh2019 pic.twitter.com/cqQt7mSlQF
— Jagat Thoudam (@JagatThoudam) February 14, 2019
While congratulating the people of Manipur and the Northeast for the win in the fight against the Bill, the Manipur CM on Wednesday tweeted: “I sincerely appreciate and congratulate the people of Manipur and NE in general for winning on CAB .The efforts of the students, meira paibis, NGOs and different political parties of the state was remarkable. Because of yours genuine demands central government has reviewed CAB.”