The Assam Pradesh Trinamul Congress (APTC) on Wednesday accused the Centre of indulging in communal politics.

APTC general secretary Antosh Choudhury said, “People across the country have been demanding a healthy debate on the failure and achievement of the government. People seek quality education, health and basic amenities. But the central government has been indulging in communal politics by dividing people on religious lines. The Centre is trying to hide its own failure by doing so.”

Choudhury stressed that the National Population Register, National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act were introduced only to divert people from the discourse on development.

“Let us raise public issues like inflation, unemployment and economic crisis and seek a white paper from the central government, or else, the government will continue to divide us,” he added.

The Trinamul leader also demanded the Act to be repealed.

Choudhury also criticised the high-level committee for Clause 6 of the Assam accord for its recommendation of 1951 as the cut-off year to define the indigenous people of Assam. “The Yandaboo Treaty of 1826 could have been the logical cut-off year to define the indigenous people of Assam,” he added. Choudhury said the APTC is ready to contest the Assembly elections to be held next year.

BJP spokesperson Rupam Goswami said, “Does the Trinamul Congress exist in Assam? I do not think it is necessary to make a comment on a party that has no foundation in the state.”

APTC candidate Dipen Pathak won the Hajo Assembly constituency in 2011.