Opposition politicising Assam NRC draft issue: Jitendra Singh

Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh on Monday denied opposition charges that the Centre had a role to play in drafting the National Register of Citizens (NRC) list.

Speaking to ANI, Singh said: "I consider after the statement of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh that there is nothing left to say or even add more into that (on the issue)."

He not only rejected the opposition's allegations, he also cleared confusion in certain quarters whether it is a final report. Singh said: "There is no role of the central government in this report. The opposition parties are unnecessarily politicising the issue, and are spreading rumours. The report has not even been finalised yet."

Earlier today, West Bengal Chief Minister attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the NRC list, saying, it has been done to evict the Bengalis and Biharis from Assam.

Addressing the media, Mamata said, "People are being isolated through a game plan. We are worried because people are being made refugees in their own country. It is a plan to throw out Bengali speaking people and Biharis. Consequences will be felt in our state also."

However, just after the release of the list, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured that no coercive action would be taken against those whose names are not mentioned in the final draft list.

"Even someone whose name is not in the final list can approach the foreigner's tribunal. No coercive action will be taken against anyone, hence there is no need for anyone to panic," Rajnath told ANI earlier.

The Congress also came down hard on the BJP soon after the release of the draft.