BJP uses UCC vow to polarise voters before polls: Selja

Guwahati: Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Kumari Selja on Monday questioned the real intent behind BJP’s commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Assam.This comes a week after Union home minister Amit Shah, during an election rally in Assam, affirmed the party’s commitment to implementing UCC in the state while keeping tribal communities outside its scope.Speaking at a press conference here, Selja said BJP raises the UCC issue only during elections to create division and make people view one another with suspicion. She also criticised the saffron party for failing to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six OBC communities in Assam over the past 12 years, saying those who genuinely deserved rights have been denied them.“What is the true objective of UCC? We maintain that everyone should receive justice and equal rights.

The BJP brings up UCC only for election purposes to find opportunities to divide people and secure majority votes,,” Selja alleged.She claimed that because BJP cannot ask for votes on the basis of its performance, it turns to politics of hatred whenever elections near.Referring to the Congress manifesto for the Assam elections, Selja said, “They (BJP) deny rights to those who truly need them. We will grant ST status to the Koch-Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Moran, Matak, Chutia and Tea Tribes (Adivasi) communities. Once we grant ST status to these communities, they will benefit from reservations in education, jobs and political rights.”