NDA manifesto released; aliens issue, IMDT find no mention

NEW DELHI, August 16: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has proposed to establish a National Register of Citizens besides promising to introduce multi-purpose identity cards for all citizens. Apart from making a passing reference to prepare the register, the NDA's agenda released here today by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee makes no mention about the foreigners issue or the insurgency problem of the Northeast. BJP's stand on the controversial Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act find no mention either. All that the 10-page manifesto says about its proposed programme about the Northeast is that it will "revitalise the North Eastern Council (NEC), ensure territorial integrity of the states of the Northeast, special developmental, administrative and security related programme". The NDA manifesto also does not hold any promise for the Bodoland movement leadership who are supporting it, as the NDA has promised to create Uttaranchal, Vananchal and Chattisgarh as new states besides granting full statehood to Delhi. The North Eastern Regional Political Parties Forum which had supported BJP-led government, also seems divided over supporting the NDA. Only two members of the previous Alliance from the region have decided to continue with the alliance. Former chief minister, Gegong Apang of the Arunachal Congress and T Chouba Singh of the Manipur Congress were present at the function. Chouba Singh later said the NERPPF in the wake of its failure to evolve a consensus appeared to have disintegrated. He confirmed that only the Manipur Congress and the Arunachal Congress were with the NDA. The NDA dilution of its stand on the foreigner problem may be exploited by the regional parties in the Northeast. Its opposition to the main demand of the Bodo leadership also may not go down well with the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU). The BJP is leaving the Kokrajhar seat to SK Bwismutiary, in what appears to be a seat understanding.