NEW DELHI: Congress on Tuesday launched an all out attack at the BJP-led Union government over the ongoing crisis in Manipur, point at the disarray within the BJP-led NDA in the state. He announced that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge would soon write to President Droupadi Murmu regarding the worsening situation, urging immediate action.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that the meeting called by Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh for NDA MLAs had exposed deep cracks within the alliance. “Of the state’s 60 MLAs, only 26 attended. Among these, four belong to the National People’s Party (NPP), whose president has already formally withdrawn support for the CM. The writing on the wall is clear,” Ramesh posted on X.
“But is the grand sutradhar of Manipur – the Union home minister, to whom the PM has abdicated and outsourced all responsibility for the state – reading it? How long will the excruciating agony of the people of Manipur continue like this?” Ramesh wrote.
The Congress MP further alleged that the signatures of three MLAs supposedly present at the meeting were forged, reducing the actual attendance to just 24, including the chief minister himself.
Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam also voiced his concerns, saying, “The situation in Manipur is dire. The government’s negligence and lack of decisive action have worsened matters. Thousands of troops are deployed, but political will and sincerity are missing. These are the fundamental issues preventing a resolution.”
The Congress has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit Manipur ahead of the upcoming Parliament session to meet political leaders, civil society groups, and affected citizens. Ramesh criticised the Prime Minister’s absence, saying, “Manipur has been burning since May 2023. The Prime Minister has travelled the world, delivered speeches, but has not found time to visit Manipur.”
Violence in Manipur continues to escalate, with ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities resulting in over 220 deaths since last year. The Congress has called for Shah’s resignation, blaming the Home Minister and Chief Minister for the state’s crisis.
The Manipur Assembly resolution adopted earlier this week demanded a “mass operation” against Kuki militants and a review of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Meanwhile, the internet suspension across multiple districts has been extended until November 20, underscoring the ongoing volatility in the region.
