CAA to be implemented in West Bengal even if Mamata opposes: BJP

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which seeks to give Indian citizenship to religious minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, will be implemented in West Bengal soon even if the Mamata Banerjee government in the state opposes it, a senior leader of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has said.

"Even if the West Bengal government opposes the implementation of CAA, we (Centre) will go ahead in implementing it. If the state supports the implementation, it will be fine," BJP National General Secretary in charge of West Bengal, Kailash Vijayvargiya, said on Saturday.

He was talking to reporters at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas district which is largely inhabited by the Matua community.

Vijayvargiya, however, did not say anything on the contentious National Register of Citizens (NRC).

BJP President JP Nadda had during his recent visit to the state said rules for implementation of the CAA are being framed and the law passed by Indian parliament last year would be implemented in letter and spirit.

To a specific question about the implementation of NRC, Vijayvargiya replied, "We are talking about implementation of CAA here."

BJP lawmaker from Bongaon Shantanu Thakur, a member of the Matua community, later told reporters that "We will be looking forward to Home Minister Amit Shah making the announcement on implementation of CAA during his visit to Thakurnagar."

Matuas, who have a sizeable population in West Bengal, migrated to the state from erstwhile East Pakistan during the 1947 Partition and in subsequent decades. Permanent citizenship has remained a longstanding demand within the Matua community.

Matuas have considerable numerical presence in parts of West Bengal which will witness fresh elections to the state legislature early next year.

BJP sources said Vijayvargiya and Thakur held discussions about Shah's proposed visit to Thakurnagar, the community headquarters, soon.

Shah is expected to visit West Bengal on December 19-20.