Senior Congress leader of Assam Tarun Gogoi on September 1 asked how the government asked the 19.07 lakh people left out of the final NRC list to move the Foreigners Tribunals for inclusion of their names as they have not been declared foreigners.

After 19.07 lakh people did not find their names in the final National Register of Citizens (NRC) published on August 31, the Assam government asked them to appeal to the Foreigners Tribunals and said the administration would provide legal support to the Indian citizens who were left out.

State Congress president Ripun Bora said those left outcan move the Foreigners Tribunal in 120 days but the Centre must clarify fromwho will issue the speaking order in this case and from when the period of 120days would start.

Addressing a press meet in Rajiv Bhawan on Sunday Mr.Gogoi told "Foreigners Tribunals are for declaring people foreigners and theywould make appeals there. So why should the excluded people go to theForeigners Tribunals on their own? They have not been declared foreigners bythe government,"

He accused the ruling BJP and AGP of not wanting to solvethe illegal foreigners issue in Assam, saying the party would become issue-lessin that case. He referred to the announcement of the government that thoseexcluded from the NRC list will be able to move the Foreigners Tribunal to get themselvesincluded, and as long as one's plea remains sub-judice, the person cannot betreated as a foreigner.

The former Chief Minister described the NRC as a "wastepaper" and said it was so since the complete draft was published in June 2018leaving out 40 lakh people.

He accused the ruling BJP and AGP of not wanting to solvethe illegal foreigners issue in Assam, saying the party would become issue-lessin that case.