Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said that he has not compromised with ‘national security’ by divulging the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government's proposal to grant visa-free entry to Bangladesh nationals under the age of 18 years and over the age of 65 years.
The three-time Assam Chief Minister said that he had strongly opposed the proposal on the ground that illegal migration from Bangladesh was a very sensitive issue for Assam and other north-east States and that visa-free entry would have serious repercussions in the region.
He said that the proposal for visa-free entry was made during an inter-ministerial meeting of the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi on June 11 last.
Gogoi slammed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Government at the Centre twice at a Press conference this week over the proposal. The Assam unit of the BJP, however, clarified that there was no proposal by the NDA Government to allow visa-free entry to Bangladeshi nationals below 18 years and over 65 years of age.
A spokesman of the Assam unit of the BJP clarified that the NDA Government had only sent a proposal by the Bangladesh Government to allow visa-free entry to people of certain age group for Assam Government's reaction. The State BJP has also accused Gogoi of compromising with ‘national security’ by divulging the details of proposal.
Reacting to the BJP’s accusation, Gogoi's today said that he cannot maintain stoic silence on such a sensitive issue and that he would be failing in his duty if he does not let the people of the State know about it.
“Sarbananda Sonowal may label my disclosure as political gimmick. What I have disclosed is based on record. Why such a sensitive issue concerning the people of Assam be put under a veil of secrecyIJ The BJP has taken a complete U-turn on the influx issue,” Gogoi said, adding that he had disclosed the issue not with a view to gain political mileage, but to put matters straight before the people.
“The people of the State have the right to know on such a sensitive issue. I would be failing in my duty if I do not place the matter before them,” he said, adding “some are bent on diluting the issue for vested interests”.