Will decide on our stand after going through CAB in detail: JD(U)

Shyam Razak, a senior leader from Janta Dal (United) - an ally of the BJP in Bihar - on Wednesday said that the party would only take a stand on the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill after going through it in detail.

New Delhi/Assam: With the Union Cabinet on Wednesday clearing the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, thereby paving way for its introduction in the Rajya Sabha, Janta Dal (United) leader Shyam Razak on Wednesday said that the party, an ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party in Bihar, will decide on their stand on the controversial Bill only after going through it in detail.

"Whenever the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill will be scheduled to be introduced in the Parliament, we will have a detailed discussion on the same. We will plan our move accordingly. We can't comment on something which is still being speculated, " Razak told ETV Bharat.

On JD(U) vehemently opposing the Bill when it was introduced and passed in the Lok Sabha in January this year by the BJP, and shying away from taking a stand on the same this time around, the former Rashtriya Janta Dal leader said, "Our alliance with BJP in Bihar is very strong because we are concerned about the development of the state. But, on matters we differ on with the BJP, we don't shy away from registering our displeasure."

When asked if he finds the Bill communal as it excludes Muslim immigrants, interestingly, the JD(U) leader denied any knowledge of the Bill, and said, "I have no idea about the Bill, I am only hearing it for the first time from you about the details of the Bill."

Earlier this year, the Nitish Kumar led party had lent its support to several regional and national parties and civil society bodies from Northeast, risking their alliance with the BJP, in their fight against the Bill.

The party had even gone to the extent of taking credit for BJP's failure to table or pass the Bill in the Rajya Sabha.