Rahul prioritising Manipur, Modi foreign trips: Cong
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 07 2024: After election as leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has chosen to visit Manipur where peace is necessary, while on the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, elected for the third term, is preparing to go abroad without a single thought for the strife-torn state, said All India Congress Committee (AICC) Manipur in-charge Girish Chodankar.

The Congress leader is in the state to oversee preparations for the scheduled visit of Rahul Gandhi on Monday.

Addressing the media at Congress Bhawan here on Saturday after convening a meeting with party leaders, Girish Chodankar said that the first priority for Rahul Gandhi to visit after being elected as leader of opposition was Manipur.

However, he had to visit Gujarat for meeting party members and then Hathras in UP to meet the victim families of the recent stampede.

He had already visited the state twice during the crisis and this will be his third visit, Chadonkar said.

Noting significance of the recent Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in highlighting suffering of the people of the state, which has been ignored by the Prime Minister and the BJP government, the Manipur in-charge said Rahul's visit is aimed at interacting with the people, hearing their grievances and spreading message of love and peace.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unconcerned about Manipur and its people as is evident from according priority in visiting foreign country testifying that he does not see Manipur as significant.

Moreover, Manipur chief minister is, in fact, no longer a chief minister as could be comprehended from both the public and MLAs, including party's own, questioning his integrity and commitment to uphold interest of the state and the people, Girish Chodankar maintained while stating that the Prime Minister is keeping him (Biren) in the chair for reasons best known to them.

Joining the media briefing, MPCC president K Meghachandra laid out a rough timeline and schedules for the visit of Rahul Gandhi including arrival at Silchar Airport by a special flight from Delhi on Monday 9.15 am, visit to relief camps located at Phulertal and Jiribam Higher Secondary School to interact with the displaced people.

From there, he will take Imphal-bound flight from Silchar Airport.

At 2 pm, he will visit Churachandpur by road where he will visit relief camps and interact with displaced people there.

He will leave Churachandpur at 4 pm and stop at Phubala High School relief camp.

After returning to Imphal, he will meet the Governor at 6 pm and then address the media at 7.10 pm before leaving Imphal for Lucknow by air.

He thanked Rahul Gandhi for allotting the time slot for Inner Manipur MP Prof Bimol Akoijam to raise the Manipur crisis in the Parliament and said that this shows his seriousness in exploring ways to resolve the current crisis in the state.

Former CM and CLP leader Okram Ibobi, deputy CLP leader K Ranjit, party chief whip Th Lokeshwar and Inner MP Prof Bimol Akoijam among others also attended the press conference.

Meanwhile, CLP leader Okram Ibobi, AICC CWC member Gaikhangam and Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president K Meghachandra have reached Silchar, Assam to welcome Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who would be arriving at Silchar airport enroute to his third visit to Manipur during the current crisis, on Monday.

The three Congress leaders left Imphal on Sunday morning by air.

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