BJP confident of getting the Citizenship Bill passed in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi : One day after the Lok Sabha passed the Citizenship Bill, which seeks to fast-track Indian citizenship to members of persecuted minorities from Muslim-majority Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, the BJP is confident that it will be cleared by the Rajya Sabha too.

The BJP's former ally, Shiv Sena has made it clear that they will not support the Citizenship Bill in Rajya Sabha unless a few questions are answered by the Centre.

“The Shiv Sena’s statement will not affect the passage of the Bill…we are confident of the numbers,” a senior BJP functionary and a member of the Rajya Sabha said.

The BJP functionary was reacting to Shiv Sena's remark that the party voted for the CAB to absorb various people facing brutalities in other countries but has asked many questions. “…Those questions we thought would be answered, ranging from national security to rights of locals in various states of India.

If these queries are not answered, we won’t be supporting the CAB in the Rajya Sabha. Every party supporting or opposing it, is asking for clarity in the national interest. Clarity must be ensured,” the Maharashtra CM has tweeted.

According to a report by the Hindustan Times, the BJP is certain of getting the support from All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD)-- all of which are outside the fold of the National Democratic Allliance (NDA).

A BJP functionary said that they are sure of getting at least 127 votes in their favour in the Upper House of the Parliament. The BJP, which has 83 members in the 245-member house, is counting on the support of 11 AIADMK, 7 BJD, 2 YSRCP, 2 TDP, 1 AGP, 1 BPF, 1 NPF, 1 SDF, 4 Independent and Others and 3 nominated members.