Guwahati: Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal said that there is no reason for him to continue as a chief minister if he is unable to protect the interests of the people in Assam.
Sonowal stated this while having a meeting with the print and electronic journalists of Guwahati to discuss the visit of Joint Parliamentary Committee on Citizenship Amendment Bill.
"If the interest of the state and its people are not secure, then what is the meaning for me in continuing as the chief minister of the state. That is why we will sincerely work for safeguarding the interests of the people of Assam. This is certain," Sonowal said.
A key amendment in the bill proposes citizenship to people without documents from six minority communities -- Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians -- who come from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. They should have been living for six years in India to be eligible for citizenship.
"It is my duty as the chief minister to take all with me and not take decisions on my own. By taking the opinion of the people of Assam, we will take a decision on the issue," the chief minister said.
"We will not take any decision that goes against the people of Assam. We all have to ensure peace across the state and keep faith in the government. I appeal all to maintain peace so that unwanted situations do not develop in the state," he said.