"His duty as Opposition MP", says MPCC in defence of MP Alfred's LS speech
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 06 2024: In his July 30 Parliament speech, Congress Outer Manipur MP Alfred Kanngam S Arthur did not call for dismissal of the current Government, but asked for replacement of the Chief Minister with a capable MLA from the ruling party, said Kh Debabrata, working president, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC).

As file Government has failed to resolve the 15-month old conflict, MP Alfred made the statement on behalf of the people and discharged his duty as a responsible MP from the Opposition, elaborated Kh Debabrata while addressing the media at Congress Bhavan today.

He stated that the press briefing was organised to address the criticism against the Outer Manipur MP's speech by some sections of people.

In his emotionally-charged speech, the MP also criticized the 2024-25 Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as being "anti-people" as it failed to include any provisions for compensation or relief for conflict-ridden Manipur and its people who have been repeatedly affected by severe floods.

MP Alfred further questioned why BJP leaders, except for the Home Minister, failed to visit the State when prior to the eruption of the violence of May 3, 2023, they used to drop by every other week.

Notably, the MP also highlighted the neutral stance of the Naga community in the crisis and made a suggestion to give Naga leaders some of the responsibility to bring peace in Manipur by meeting representatives of the two communities.

Stating that it was the MP's duty to make the aforementioned statements in the Parliament, Kh Debabrata added that there Parliamentary practices, rules of procedure and party directives to be followed.

Maintaining that everything done by the ruling party cannot be right at all times, Kh Debabrata said that an Opposition MP should give his views and point out the wrongs and shortcomings of the Government, as it is the right of the Opposition.

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