Congress with people of north-east in opposing BJP’s Citizenship Bill: Rahul Gandhi

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday made a strong pitch against the Narendra Modi government's version of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, stating at a rally in Guwahati that Congress stood behind the people of the north-eastern states in opposing the proposed amendments to the Citizenship Act.

"All of you know that Citizen Amendment Bill, the biggest assault on North East because of which the entire North East is tense today was passed in Lok Sabha, but stalled in Rajya Sabha by the Congress Party," said Rahul, as he addressed a rally that marked the start of Congress' Lok Sabha election campaign in the region.

"Today Arunachal Pradesh is burning. There is trouble in Assam, Meghalaya and Manipur," said Rahul Gandhi, blaming the BJP-RSS for attacking the north-eastern culture through divisive policies

Saying that no Indian must be left out of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Rahul said, "Under the NRC, the bonafide Indians will be given protection. No bonafide Indian will remain out of the NRC.”

He highlighted that Congress had prevented the bill from being passed in Rajya Sabha by opposing it tooth-and-nail.

"In the hour of your need, we were standing shoulder to shoulder with you and this anti-North East Bill which is against your culture, your languages, your history, the Congress Party opposed it tooth and nail," said the leader.

Rahul also criticised the BJP government in Assam in failing to check the sale of illicit alcohol, the consumption of which had caused 159 deaths as of Tuesday evening.

Rahul attacked the Prime Minister for making "hollow speeches" as the country faced a worsening unemployment crisis.

"Today, the biggest problem being faced in the country is that of employment. Narendra Modi Ji believes in making hollow speeches about Make in India, Start up India but could offer only 1 lakh employment a year to the youth which translates to mere 450 employment opportunities a day," said Rahul.