Imphal, May 04: Reacting strongly against the statement made by former Indian Prime Minister and National JD (S) president HD Deve Gowda for integration of all Naga inhabited areas, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) denounced Gowda as a political opportunist who tries to garner votes by setting one group of people against another and keep the North Eastern region in perpetual turmoil.

Gowda as a responsible leader of a National party should not resort to chef propaganda to get some votes and should realized that such inflammatory statement has the potential of not only breaking up integrity of the North East, but also of the entire Nation, party spokesman T Gunadhwaja said in a release.

Congress considered the issue of territorial integrity is an important one which could not be meddling with politics and is always ready to face any forces trying to disintegrate Manipur and divide its people on communal line, he stated resolutely.