Within a couple of weeks of supporting the Citizenship Amendment Bill in both the Houses of parliament, the YSR Congress party is now strongly opposing the implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the country.
On Monday, YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday openly opposed enforcement of NRC not only in Andhra Pradesh, but also in the entire country.
Addressing a public meeting at Kadapa, Jagan said his party was strongly opposed to the NRC.
“Our government will not allow the NRC implementation in Andhra Pradesh under any circumstances. We shall also oppose its implementation elsewhere in the country,” Jagan said.
The chief minister endorsed the statement made by his deputy chief minister S B Amzad Basha a few days ago that the YSRC government was opposed to the NRC and would not take it up in the state.
He said Basha had made the statement only after discussing with him.
“I assure that I will not allow any decision that will go against the interests of Muslim minorities in the state,” Jagan said.
Apparently, Jagan was emboldened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on Sunday that the Centre had not held any discussions on implementing NRC across the country. He made it clear that the SC direction was only with regard to Assam.
May be Jagan was also realised the importance of appeasing the Muslims in view of the forthcoming local body elections.