Assam finance minister and BJP's key strategist for the northeast, Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday that the state has taken the visit by the delegation led by Trinamool Congress lawmaker Derek O' Brien positively, since "any political party has the right to visit terror attack victims." 
The cautious move by the BJP leader comes in the backdrop of the 2019 elections, when the Bengali Hindu votes are important for the party in both Assam and West Bengal.
In an apparent reference to the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016, which is likely to be tabled in the next parliament session, Mr Sarma said, "Mamata Banerjee must cooperate with the BJP, as the party is trying to bring a lasting solution to the issues of religious minorities living in Pakistan and Bangladesh. She should help the BJP in evolving a consensus. She is not just protecting Bengali Hindus or Bengalis." 
The Bill if passed will allow refugees from neighbouring countries, who have fled due to fear of religious persecution, become citizens of India. The Bill also drastically cuts down the necessary time period an applicant needs to stay in India before becoming a citizen.
The visit by Mamata Banerjee's delegation also presented a contrasting picture that told the story of changing political dynamics ahead of parliamentary elections next year.