Cong dares PM Modi to campaign in state
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 10 2024: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president K Meghachandra has questioned whether the so-called peace ushered in Manipur due to the "care'' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the restriction of movement to Moreh, Churachandpur and other hill areas.

He then said that if PM Modi truly loves Manipur, he should come for election campaigning in the state.

The MPCC president made the remarks on the occasion of a mass merger programme organised to welcome new party members including all office bearers of Janata Dal (United), Tamenglong district, at Congress Bhawan, here, on Tuesday.

With reference to PM Modi recently claiming that peace has been restored in Manipur due to the centre's timely intervention, Meghachandra expressed that the BJP government at the centre should be ashamed of making such tall claims when it did nothing to control the conflict which broke out on May 3 last year.

He criticised PM Narendra Modi's remarks on the Manipur issue, alleging that the Prime Minister is not adequately addressing the ongoing violence in the strife-torn state and also rebuked PM Modi's assertion that the Centre's timely intervention had brought relief to Manipur, stating that the situation in the state has not fully normalised.

K Meghachandra, who is also a sitting Congress MLA, pointed out that peace has not been fully restored in Manipur, contrary to the PM's claim.

In an interview to The Assam Tribune, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that timely intervention by both the central and Manipur governments had significantly improved the situation in the strife-torn state.

However, the Manipur Congress president highlighted the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3 last year, between Kukis and Meiteis, stating that residents of the hills (the Kukis) are unable to travel to the plains, and vice versa.

Meghachandra criticized the PM's statement as an attempt to save face and gain political advantage ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled to commence on April 19 .

He questioned why the Prime Minister had not visited Manipur for election campaigns, asserting that the invitation was extended to him.

Furthermore, Meghachandra expressed disappointment in the PM's perceived lack of seriousness regarding the Manipur issue, noting that the Congress is fielding candidates for both the Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur parliamentary constituencies, which are scheduled for April 19 and April 26, respectively.

Despite this, the BJP is contesting the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat and supporting the Naga People's Front (NPF) candidate in the Outer Manipur seat.

Terming the PM's statement as an attempt to charm the people ahead of the polls, Meghachandra said that if the PM truly cares about Manipur, he should personally come to the state to campaign for the elections instead of trying to take credit for something non-existent.

Expressing shock over the attitude of BJP blaming Congress for the unfortunate incident suffered by two women during the conflict, he urged for making the exact intelligence report of the incident public instead of making false statements, which are of no benefit to anyone.

The Congress president then said that the overall responsibility of the incidents occurring in Manipur lies on the head of a powerful person from BJP.

The blame for all of these cannot be put on the opposition, he maintained, while requesting BJP to stop misleading the public ahead of the polls.

Regarding the welcome reception, Meghachandra appreciated office bearers of JD (U) Tamenglong District including the Yuva Morcha, Mandal, IT Cell, etc., who have reposed faith in the Congress' vision and decided to join the party.

He continued that Congress is not only trying to develop the country but Manipur as well and as such, called for concerted efforts to put an end to the dictatorial rule of the BJP government.

The reception function was also attended by CLP leader O Ibobi, CWC member Gaikhangam and other office bearers of the party.

The Congress party had been urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah to find a solution for the restoration of peace in the strife-torn state.

In December last year, Meghachandra suggested Narendra Modi and Amit Shah must raise their voices to find an amicable solution concerning the ongoing violence in Manipur during the parliament session.

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