Sushmita Dev: Despite spending crores, the state machinery made a mess of NRC

By barakbulletin On September 5, 2018 - 7:41 pm

2014, when Modi wave was washing out the political landscape of India, she swam against the tide in Silchar. Since then, step by step, she climbed up the ladder within her party as well as in the national politics. While her entry into politics was easy and often attributed to her father’s popularity and success, over the years she did manage to build an identity of her own. The flag bearer of women sanitary issues, official spokesperson Indian National Congress, president of All India Mahila Congress and a member of parliament, Sushmita Dev today, is more than just former union minister late Santosh Mohan Dev’s daughter. She is at the top of the pyramid in her own party. The Congress leadership recently decided to put her in the manifesto committee along with Shashi Tharoor, P Chidambaram and others for the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

While Congress’ national agenda is to get back Delhi through the ballot, in her constituency, Sushmita has an NRC crisis to deal with. With over 40 lakh people missing from the final draft of NRC, the turf now has opened up for a citizenship debate. It’s quite often that the State Congress and Cachar District Congress are poles apart with their points of view. She also has a former colleague and fast-rising political figure Himanta Biswa Sarma to counter for the first time in a Lok Sabha elections. Rumours also suggest that there could be another friend-turning-into-foe scenario in the local landscape, as Gautam Roy is speculated to jump the political party fence.

In an exclusive interview with Barakbulletin.com, Sushmita says she is ready. She adds that the state machinery has made a mess of NRC. The parliamentarian also spoke about Biswa Sarma and Roy. Edited excerpts:

Do you think the state government thought about people, their plight during the entire NRC proceedings?

I respect the Supreme Court but I have no fear in saying that the state machinery has made a mess of it. Despite the fact that hundreds of crores have been spent, and almost every officer put their work on the back burner to complete the NRC. It is absurd that in a single family, some are in the NRC list and some are out. State co-ordinator has consistently and whimsically shifted the goal post about documents required. Innocent citizens are suffering. I suspect that the figure of 40 lakhs left out is deliberate to appease organisations, which are agitating against foreigners. It’s a conspiracy. Also, I have no doubt that Bengalis have been victims of discriminatory attitude in the process.

40 lakh people are in no man’s land today, and not all can afford a legal battle. What do you think or predict their future?

I am very clear that our constitution guarantees that right to life even to foreigners. Without proper legal aid, the worlds largest democracy will create lakhs of stateless people. Bangladesh will not take them back, so where will they go? The state must give proper legal aid to the people. India does not have a comprehensive law for asylum. The proposed Citizenship bill by BJP government does not grant citizenship and may well be struck down by courts as unconstitutional. It is intentionally badly drafted.

They say, NRC is not directly connected to D-Voter issue but both the isaues are harassing common people equally. As a public representative, what is your take on this? What is the role of a public representative be it MP or MLA in this regard?

The concept of D-voter, I believe, is totally unconstitutional. My role will be to help people legally but as a party, we will stand by all citizens. As a public representative, I will not move away from people, who have voted for me in the 2014 and 2016 elections. Today, they have elected 14 MPs and 126 MLAs, and these voters are Indians.

First Mahila Congress’ national chief, and now you are a part of the manifesto committee. How does it feel to be the most powerful leader in the North East?

I don’t see politics as a tool to exert power. I am serving the nation through my party. I represent my people, I don’t rule them.

You are the member of parliament from Silchar. Recently Gautam Roy told us that if he wants to contest from Silchar, he will seek a ticket from Congress. Is there infighting in Congress for Silchar, who will take the final call?

Everyone has the right to ask for a party ticket and high command will take the final decision. I will accept and respect whatever they decide.

Himanta Biswa Sarma, your former Congress colleague left the party before 2016 elections, and that changed the political landscape in entire North East. Is Gautam Roy next in the line to make the switch?

Mr Sarma left, and I believe, his decision was unethical. I don’t want to speculate about Mr Roy, he is a senior leader. He has got so much from Congress, why would he leave?

Hypothetically, if you are against Gautam Roy in Silchar in the 2019 elections, how confident are you to beat him in the ballot?

As a responsible politician, I don’t speculate. In any event, anyone I contest against, I don’t have any personal animosity. It’s a battle of ideologies. Further, I believe it is arrogant to assume victory because that is the prerogative of the people of Cachar.

You play a big role in national politics- the sanitary napkin campaign, Mumbai locals and so many other national drives. Are you able to give enough time to local politics and party workers while fulfilling national duties for the party?

My primary duty is to fight the fascist and communal forces that have raised its head in India. My constituents are my priority and I am working towards both my duties with equal sincerity.