Guwahati (Assam) [India], April 2 : Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said that the Assam Government's action against the "illegal immigrants" should not be linked to the Muslim community, reiterating the party's stance to disallow voting rights to Bangladeshi citizens in the interest of the nation.
Speaking to ANI, Nitin Gadkari accused the Opposition of "communalising" the issue for "vote bank politics", giving precedence to their "political interest" over national interest.
"In the whole world, action is taken against people who enter a country illegally. This should not be linked to any religion. I am not against the Muslims living in Assam. It cannot be right to give voting rights to Bangladeshi citizens who have entered Assam. We have only said this in our national interest," he said.
"While some parties are communalising this issue for vote bank politics. It is not right to use issues of national interest for one's political interest," he added.
Ahead of the Assembly election, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP have constantly raised the issue of illegal infiltration, impacting the demographics of the state.
Additionally, Nitin Gadkari exuded confidence in the BJP's victory in the Assam Assembly elections, citing the development work that has taken place under PM Modi's government in the northeast since 2014.
"I have full confidence that people of Assam will once again give a big mandate to the BJP. The reason behind this - how the situation has changed today since 2014. After Modi ji took oath as the PM, it was decided to give special focus to the development of infrastructure in the North East region. Today, we can see good roads, 11-12 bridges on the Brahmaputra, airports, waterways and railways. Because people can see their aspirations being fulfilled, there is positivity and support for development. Hence, the people of Assam will vote positively to elect us," he told ANI.
The polling for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
The NDA will look to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to defeat the ruling party to return to power.
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