A united opposition took on the government over the draft citizens' list in Assam that leaves out over 40 lakh people. While the government has said that those names absent from the citizens' list can appeal, and will not be deported as of now, a strident opposition led by a vociferous Mamata Banerjee has said the government is indulging in divide and rule.


The opposition stalled parliament today as the Rajya Sabha adjourned within minutes and the opposition protested loudly in the Lok Sabha.  The Congress and Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress put in notice to discuss the National Register of Citizens or NRC in the Lok Sabha.


Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress MP in Rajya Sabha said, "Genuine Indians should not be sent out of the country. NRC should not be politicised and used as vote bank. It is a human rights issue, not a Hindu-Muslim issue."


Mos PMO Jitendra Singh said outside parliament that as far as the NRC for West Bengal is concerned, the decision will be taken by Home Ministry.


Mayawati read out a statement at the party HQ saying, citizenships of 40 lakhs minorities have been almost seized in NRC draft in BJP-ruled Assam. "If people living for a long time in Assam haven't been able to provide proof about their citizenship, it doesn't mean they should be thrown out of the country."


Dilip Ghosh, of the BJP, demdanded an NRC in Bengal as "infiltration was rampant here." He said, "Over 1 crore illegal migrants are present & adding to the pressure on our economy. They enter political sphere as well. If BJP comes to power in Bengal, we will hold NRC to eliminate unwanted."