Meant opinion poll: Mamata backtracks on her ‘UN referendum on CAA’ dare to Modi
Kolkata/IBNS: After her call to hold a UN referendum on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, got rejected by the Opposition, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday backtracked saying the only thing she meant was an “opinion poll”.
“I did not say referendum. I said gana vote. I meant an opinion poll overseen by experts like the Human Rights Commission. I have full faith on my country and its people. I want an opinion poll on CAA and NRC,” the Trinamool Congress chief said as quoted by NDTV.
Holding a protest rally of her party Trinamool Congress here on Thursday, Mamata said, "I am giving a challenge to the Modi government. Let us go to a referendum on CAB (CAA) and NRC across the country by the United Nations. Let an impartial organisation play a very important role. Let there be a committee of United Nations, Human Rights Commission and important experts.
There will be no need to have TMC or BJP or any other political party (in the committee). We want to see how many people are supporting it or opposing. Will the Prime Minister resign if majority of people oppose the CAB (CAA) and NRC?"
Mamata's comment stirred a row as it is only the Indian Parliament which can make and implement laws.
Not agreeing with Mamata's view, Congress leader Pawan Khera tweeted, "Beg to differ. Ours is a mature democracy. We are equipped to face tough challenges on our own. We do not need any outside interference. No one should undermine our faith in the resilience of our democracy."
Not giving much importance to the Trinamool chief's proposal, CPI-M leader Md. Salim said, "Why didn't she made all her MPs vote against the CAB in Parliament?"
Strongly reacting to Mamata's comment, West Bengal BJP leader Sayantan Basu told IBNS, "She is speaking like an anti-national. All her statements are like anti-nationals. She is working as per the directions of anti-national forces.
She is planning to merge West Bengal and Bangladesh to make a new country. Her party's desperation to retain power in West Bengal is detrimental to the security of India."
What is CAA?
The CAA is an Act which will grant citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Parsi, Buddhist, Jain, Christian but not Muslim refugees who came to India before 2015.
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