First NRC list leaves out names of MPs, MLAs in Assam

The anomalies of missing names of MPs and MLAs of Assam and allegations of inclusion of several illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the first draft of National Register for Citizens (NRC) have created an uneasy situation for the government that, if not rectified, may snowball into a major controversy.

Names of those missing the list include two MPs and one MLA of Assam's main opposition party AIUDF - the party chief Dhubri's Badruddin Ajmal, Karimganj's Radhey Shyam Biswas, at least three BJP and four Congress MLAs besides others.

"I am a two-term MP and one-term MLA, even my brother is an MP but our names are not on the list. But we are not worried. Let us wait for the second list. We have asked the government to publish it as soon as possible. In case even that does not show our names, doors of Supreme Court are open," said Ajmal.

"I don't attribute any motive behind it, it could be genuine mistake as names of many BJP members have also not figured on the list," he added.

His colleague Radhey Shyam Biswas said, "I am from the Hindu community but my name still doesn't feature on the list. Only my wife and son's names are there. It is very strange," he said.

Lok Sabha MP from Silchar in Assam Sushmita Dev slammed the government for coming out with an "incomplete list" and said this has created unease among locals in Assam.

Raising the issue during Zero hour in Lok Sabha, Dev said the genuine should not be left out of the NRC list.

Rajya Sabha MP from Assam, Bhubaneshwar Kalita, told DNA, "Not only from Congress but even from other parties, there are a number of MLAs and ex MLAs, whose names are not in the list. There are errors in this draft list. But a second list will come out. We are hopeful anomalies will be corrected."

In Assam, BJP legislator Shiladitya Dev from middle Assam's Hojai assembly alleged that several illegal Bangladeshi person names were also included in the first draft.