'Does MPCC endorse Rahul's statement?'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 19 2023: Reacting strongly to the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president's negative response to their demand for a clarification on AICC leader Rahul Gandhi's claim that there are two States in Manipur, the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) has asked the MPCC whether it endorses Rahul Gandhi's claim or not.

Earlier, denouncing a statement made by Rahul Gandhi that "Manipur is no longer one State, it is divided into two States", AMUCO had asked the MPCC to see that Rahul Gandhi comes with a clarification on his statement by October 20 .

Decrying the ultimatum, the MPCC alleged that AMUCO was acting like a mouthpiece of BJP.

Reacting to the MPCC's allegation and criticism, AMUCO asserted that the MPCC president was only trying to protect their high command without properly analysing AMUCO's statement.

AMUCO cannot accept the allegations and criticism of MPCC under any circumstances, the CSO said in a press release.

As a matter of principle, AMUCO will always stand against any organisation and political party if they do or speak anything which harms the collective interest of the people of Manipur, it said.

Statements like "Manipur is divided" are the catchwords of those elements who are determined to disintegrate Manipur.

By uttering the same statement, Rahul Gandhi was only abetting the diabolic scheme aimed at disintegrating Manipur, AMUCO said.

Attempts to cover up Rahul Gandhi's statement by portraying AMUCO as politically motivated is unacceptable.

If MPCC sees AMUCO as a mouthpiece of BJP, there is every reason to see MPCC as a secret agent of those elements scheming to disintegrate Manipur, it said.

Referring to Rahul Gandhi's claim that Manipur is divided into two States, AMUCO asked the date when Manipur was bifurcated into two States.

It went on to ask whether MPCC can give the names of the new State and its Chief Minister.

It further asked the MPCC to look back at AMUCO's statements when political parties or their leaders acted against the collective interest of the people of Manipur.

Just as it did to Rahul Gandhi's particular statement, AMUCO reacted vehemently when Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed, "A Manipuri woman was married to Arjun and her son took part in the Mahabharat war" at a public function held at Moirang in January this year.

At that time too, many BJP workers wrote in social media as if AMUCO's statement was influenced by another political party, it said.

Given the State's critical situation, MPCC should note that Rahul Gandhi's outrageous statement has all the potential to further aggravate the situation, AMUCO pointed out.

Responding to the MPCC president's poser regarding AMUCO's position on the demand of the 10 Kuki MLAs, it advised the MPCC leader to look back at the newspapers published during those days.

It was the AMUCO which organised the maximum number of public meetings and demonstrations under the banner "No separate administration in Manipur", it pointed out.

Rahul Gandhi's particular statement has all the potential to put Manipur in flames.

At the same time, the three-days time given by AMUCO for Rahul Gandhi to come out with a clarification on his outrageous statement should not be misinterpreted, it continued.

MPCC should announce to the public whether they would ask Rahul Gandhi to issue a clarification on his statement or not, AMUCO asserted.

If the MPCC president sincerely loves Manipur and cares for the people of the State, he too would have been hurt deeply by Rahul Gandhi's statement as it did to the people of Manipur, it added.

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