Citizenship Act: Mamata Banerjee Backtracks On 'Referendum' Remark, Says 'Meant Opinion Poll'

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seems to have backtracked on her statement seeking a United Nations-monitored referendum on the Citizenship Act. In a U-turn from her remark made on Thursday over UN referendum on CAA and NRC, Mamata Banerjee said she had only suggested that opinion poll be conducted by impartial experts of the country, the process for which could be observed by the United Nations.

"I am proud of my country... I have full faith on my countrymen. What I had said was that a gana vote (opinion poll) be conducted by a panel of impartial experts and members of national human rights commission. It can be observed by the UN," she insisted.

Addressing a press meet in Kolkata, Banerjee urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the "anti-people" law and plans to implement nationwide NRC.

Banerjee on Thursday seemed to have suggested a UN-monitored referendum on the government's new citizenship law.

"If BJP has guts, it should go for a UN-monitored referendum on the amended Citizenship Act and NRC. If the BJP loses this mass vote, then it should step down from the government," Banerjee had dared the ruling BJP on Thursday in Kolkata, according to reports.

The BJP has hit back at Banerjee, demanding an apology from the Trinamool Congress chief for making the suggestion.

In another tweet on Friday, Banerjee said pluralism was the core strength of this nation.

Taking to Twitter on the occasion of 'International Human Solidarity Day', she iterated that people should not be divided on the lines of religion or caste.

"On International Human Solidarity Day, let us celebrate our unity in diversity. This is our strength. Let us all work together to defeat the forces that seek to divide us along religious, casteist lines," Banerjee, who had been at the forefront of protests against amended Citizenship Act and proposed nationwide NRC, tweeted.