INDIA Bloc takes digs at 'spineless' CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 30 2024: At a time when ruling MLAs and Ministers from the State are camping in Delhi for an appointment with the Prime Minister that has not been granted yet, INDIA Bloc has launched a scathing attack on the Government and called Chief Minister N Biren Singh "spineless" accusing him of playing "drama and divisive politics" .

During the nearly 14 months of the conflict that has Manipur burning, the Chief Minister has not once met the Prime Minister.

He is unable to get an appointment.

He lacks spine and is unable to exercise his powers as a Chief Minister, claimed CPI(M) Manipur State secretary Ksh Shanta in a press meet called by the INDIA Bloc at Congress Bhavan, Imphal today.

INDIA Bloc takes digs at 'spineless' CM

Manipur, at present, is in a precarious condition, but the Chief Minister, instead of making efforts to end the crisis in time, is indulging in "lying to the public and playing drama", he said.

The Chief Minister has, on many occasions, sworn before the public to protect and save Manipur, but he has not yet acted on those promises, Shanta said.

He said today marks one year of the CM's "resignation drama" .

"On June 30, 2023, the Chief Minister staged a drama in which he attempted to resign from his post.

If he sincerely wanted to resign, he could have gone discretely or sent someone to submit the resignation letter to the Governor.

Instead, he staged a drama.

He gathered his supporters in front of the CM's residential gate and allowed the crowd to tear the resignation letter," said Shanta.

The CM's residence is a highly protected area and no protesters are normally allowed to gather and storm the place.

However, surprisingly, an unprecedented exception was made on June 30, 2023 and hundreds of protesters were allowed to gather at the gate of the residence, he said.

People have suffered and are still suffering because of the conflict.

Amid such dire situations in the State, political parties, on many occasions, have sought to meet the Chief Minister to discuss the crisis.

However, no appointment has been given till date, Shanta said.

During the nearly 14 months of the conflict that has Manipur burning, the Chief Minister has not once met the Prime Minister.

He is unable to exercise his powers as a Chief Minister, Shanta said.

Further, Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently chaired a security meeting on the Manipur crisis in Delhi.

However, the Chief Minister was not invited to the meeting and it was very unfortunate and unacceptable, he added.

L Sotinkumar, former secretary of MSC-CPI, who was present in the press meet, said the Manipur crisis is deepening with the State and the Centre taking up no effort to bring about a political solution.

If only the Prime Minister had intervened timely, the situation Manipur is facing today may have been avoided, he said.

He said the exclusion of the Chief Minister from the security meeting in Delhi was an insult to the Chief Minister, the State and the people.

During the inauguration of the ongoing Parliament session, the President didn't mention the nearly 14 months old Manipur crisis in her speech.

The speech, the President gave, was prepared by the Cabinet led by the Prime Minister, Sotinkumar said, asking "Why was the Manipur issue avoided in the President's speech?" .

MPCC general secretary (administration) S Jiten Singh, Shiv Sena (UT) Manipur State president Toijam Debanand and MPCC general secretary (organisation) Md Amir Hussain were present in the press meet.