Lucknow: A day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah dared opposition leaders for a debate on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), BSP supremo Mayawati and SP Chief Akhilesh accepted the challenge.
On Wednesday, Mayawati said her party accepts the challenge to discuss and debate the new citizenship law “at any forum and at any place.”
Mayawati alleged the government is “disturbed by protests against the contentious Citizenship Act, National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR)” across the country.
“The government, disturbed by protests against the controversial CAA, NRC and NPR, across the country, especially the youths and women, has challenged the Opposition for a debate on the matter. The BSP accepts the challenge for debate at any forum and at any place,” Mayawati tweeted in Hindi.
Amit Shah challenge opposition leaders
Shah on Tuesday had challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for a debate on the CAA.
“I have come to you for a Jan Jagaran Abhiyan in Lucknow. Our government is hardly 8 months old but we are conducting this campaign to dispell the falsities being spread by the opposition against CAA. I challenge Rahul Gandhi, Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav to engage in a debate on CAA,” Shah had said while addressing a gathering in Lucknow.
Shah had accused the opposition parties of “misleading” the people on the CAA and said that the new law will not be scrapped despite protests.
Ready to debate on development: Akhilesh to BJP
Hitting back at Shah for challenging opposition leaders for a debate on the CAA, Akhilesh Yadav said that his party is ready to hold a discussion on development.
“As far as debate is concerned, finalise the venue. Select your favourite channels and anchors. We are ready to do a debate on development,” Yadav told reporters here.
Yadav alleged the BJP is misusing its majority by playing with the Constitution and said the voice of the people cannot be suppressed in a democratic society.
“They (BJP) are playing with the Constitution as they have the majority. You cannot suppress the voice of the people. Democracy becomes strong when people continue raising their voices,” he said.
The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister alleged the BJP gives money to the people and asks them to support the citizenship law.
“It is the BJP which gives money and asks the people to come in their support. Women and youths, who are protesting against this law, are doing so on their own. This law is not in the best interest of the masses. People do not accept it,” Yadav said.
“The numbers of the caste census, which has been conducted, should be released. Why is the government withholding these data? The day when the numbers of the caste census will come out, the brawl between Hindu and Muslims will end,” he further said.