CAB an attempt by Modi, Shah to ethnically cleanse northeast: Rahul Gandhi

Using some strong words, Rahul tweeted, "The CAB is a attempt by Modi-Shah Govt to ethnically cleanse the North East. It is a criminal attack on the North East, their way of life and the idea of India.   I stand in solidarity with the people of the North East and am at their service."

The Congress leader's attack came in the backdrop of a massive protest marked by widespread violence witnessed by the northeastern states, particularly Tripura and Assam over the controversial bill which was passed by Lok Sabha on Monday midnight.

The bill, which if passed by Rajya Sabha, will grant citizenship to all non-Muslim refugees who came to India from neighbouring countries Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan on or before Dec 31, 2014.

While his own ally from Maharashtra, Shiv Sena, had supported the bill in Lok Sabha, Rahul took a swipe at all political parties supporting the bill on Twitter a day ago.

The former Congress president said in a tweet, "The #CAB is an attack on the Indian constitution. Anyone who supports it is attacking and attempting to destroy the foundation of our nation."

Though the Sena made a U-turn on the bill saying the party should not be taken for granted in the upper house, the BJP is likely to sail through also in Rajya Sabha- where it does not enjoy majority- with the help of regional parties like Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Janata Dal (United), AIADMK.

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said the party's queries must be answered first in Parliament before expecting any support.

(Image Credit: UNI)