Duty of chief minister to maintain law and order, Mamata's remark on NRC condemnable: Kiren Rijiju

As the row over National Register of Citizens(NRC) in Assam reached Parliament this week, Union minister Kiren Rijiju said West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's "civil war" remark was condemnable.

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As the Assam government released the NRC on Tuesday, controversy erupted after 40 lakh people were excluded from the list.

After the NRC was published, CM Mamata Banerjee had said that it was done with "political motive" asserting that the BJP was trying to divide the country and that it would not be tolerated.

"The NRC is being done with a political motive. We will not let this happen. They (BJP) are trying to divide the people. The situation cannot be tolerated. There will be a civil war, bloodbath in the country," the West Bengal chief minister had said.

"It is the duty of the chief minister to maintain law and order in the state & not incite violence," the minister said, adding,"her remark on civil war is condemnable."

Banerjee met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh later on Tuesday, the CM said she had asked the home minister to either amend the NRC bill or introduce a new bill, informing that Rajnath Singh had assured her the government would not "harass people". 

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon as Congress members created an uproar, insisting on removal from House records certain remarks made by BJP MP Amit Shah in connection with the NRC.

"It will have no impact on Assam as it is absolutely peaceful there, Ripun Bora said. Ahmed Patel, Sonia Gandhi's longtime political aide blamed the BJP for "polarisation" over NRC.

"Rajivji championed Assam and Punjab accords knowing it'll adversely affect party’s chances in polls," Patel said, adding,"Earlier INC sacrificed its government in J&K for peace, legacy of Congress is to keep nation before party, this is guts."