Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi on March 11, 2025. Photo: Sansad TV via PTI
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday (March 11, 2025) said the Centre has failed to bring peace at gunpoint in Manipur and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the State and listen to the apprehensions and concerns of the people.
Parliament Budget Session March 11, 2025 highlights
Initiating a discussion on the supplementary demands for grants, excess grants and the Manipur Budget, he asserted that peace cannot be restored in the northeastern State at the barrel of gun and only a political solution was the way out.
Mr. Gogoi, the Deputy Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, said the Manipur Budget should have been discussed in the State Assembly, but President’s Rule has been imposed in the State.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apprise the House about the rationale for imposition of President’s Rule in the State.
“What is the state of Vidhan Sabha in the State — is it dissolved or in suspended animation,” the Congress leader sought to know.
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BJP members, including Nishikant Dubey, objected to Mr. Gogoi’s extensive reference to the situation in Manipur and cited rules to point out that the Congress leader should stick to the demands for grants and the State Budget.
“If you want peace in Manipur, let the people of Manipur speak. If you want peace in Manipur, have patience to listen to the people of Manipur. What are their political aspirations, what are their apprehensions, fears? You should have the strength to listen to it,” Mr. Gogoi said.
The Congress leader said Home Minister Amit Shah had visited Manipur in 2023 and promised to return soon.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also objected to Mr. Gogoi’s remarks referring to the absence of the Prime Minister from the House when important matters were being discussed.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said PM Modi had informed him about his foreign visit and pointed out that previous Prime Ministers too have undertaken visits abroad during Parliament sessions.
Mr. Gogoi said he has utmost respect for PM Modi and accused the Treasury Benches of abusing every former Prime Minister.
Responding to Mr. Gogoi, Ms. Sitharaman said the Opposition must have grace to admit that they “abused the Prime Minister and will not repeat it again”.
Mr. Gogoi hit back and asked the Finance Minister to introspect and refer to PM Modi’s speech in the last session.
The Congress leader said PM Modi had abused former Prime Ministers in his speech in Parliament last month.
Published – March 11, 2025 04:10 pm IST
