New Delhi, December 11: Shiv Sena, an ally of ideological rivals Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra, is still undecided on whether it should support the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), 2019 which uses "religion" as criterion for granting citizenship. Hours after Sena conveyed to reporters that it has rejigged its stand and will vote against the proposed law, reports citing top party sources said it may abstain from voting. Citizenship Amendment Bill Debate in Rajya Sabha: Amit Shah Says 'Muslims of India Can Never be Stripped of Citizenship', Warns Agent Provocateurs.

Speaking during the debate over CAB in Rajya Sabha earlier on Wednesday, Shiv Sena parliamentary leader Sanjay Raut said the government should explain whether it is indulging in vote bank politics by retaining a section of intruders who adhere to non-Islamic faith. The Sena, he said, also demands a ban on voting rights of naturalised citizens for the next 25 years.

Raut's aggressive statement in the Upper House validated reports of the party deciding to vote against the CAB. Shortly thereafter, top Sena sources while speaking to NDTV said the party may consider "walkout" as the best option.

Wedged between its conservative ideology and coalition politics compulsions, the Sena has been issuing contradictory remarks over the CAB. While party lawmaker in Lok Sabha, Arvind Sawant, cited "national interest" as the reason behind all 17 MPs voting in favour of CAB, Raut said the Bill ends up pitting Hindus against Muslims.

Sena's coalition partner in Maharashtra - Congress - has repeatedly appealed the party to not to vote in favour of the proposed law. "Our country is governed by the Constitution and the Constitution is based on the principle of equality. We expect that Shiv Sena will keep this in mind while voting for Citizenship Amendment Bill in Rajya Sabha," said Congress' state unit chief and State Cabinet Minister Balasaheb Thorat.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 11, 2019 06:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).