Ibobi slams centre's attitude towards Manipur
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 11 2025: Expressing disenchantment over central government's alleged indifference to plight of the people of Manipur, which he likened to treating them as insects, former chief minister O Ibobi Singh stated that it would be better to die than to cling to their respective posts.

Speaking to the media at his official residence in Babupara on Tuesday, Ibobi, who is also Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, expressed regret over the central government's treatment of the people of Manipur, calling it highly unfortunate and discriminatory.

He criticised the central government for leaving the state government in limbo and suggesting that President's Rule (PR) could be imposed at will, describing this attitude as unacceptable to the Congress party.

Ibobi opined that if the central government had desired, it could have appointed a new leader the same day N Biren resigned as chief minister, immediately after returning from Delhi.

The new CM could have been sworn in at midnight, as done during the Congress rule.

O Ibobi also pointed out that the May 3, 2023 incident appeared to be a planned event.

He noted that, immediately after the incident, a retired IPS officer from outside the state was appointed as the Security Advisor of Manipur, further fuelling suspicion that the violence was premeditated.

At this time, with both sides in the conflict having lost 250 lives, over 30 people still missing, and thousands left homeless in relief camps, if the central government wished, it could have ended the crisis by now, he stated.

Ibobi also mentioned that the Governor had summoned the Assembly, but the day before the session was set to begin, the chief minister was called to Delhi and made to resign.

He pointed out that the central government could have handled the situation much earlier, allowing the Assembly to sit, but chose not to, thereby underscoring the central government's disregard for the people of Manipur.

He called this very unfortunate and urged the central government to respect the people of Manipur, who had placed their trust in the party.

He also appealed to the central government to allow the current government to continue until the expiry of its term, stating that Congress would offer constructive suggestions and highlight what is right and wrong.

The former chief minister also pointed out that the current situation in the state is not a constitutional crisis but a problem created by the central government s attitude of doing whatever it pleases.

He noted that throughout his political career, spanning over 30 years, there have been instances where a new government was formed due to internal crises within the ruling party.

However, selecting a new leader is not the responsibility of the Congress.

He criticised the central government for failing to fulfil its duties and for adopting a discriminatory attitude towards the people of Manipur, which he deemed unacceptable.

Furthermore, Ibobi stated that the imposition of PR in the state should not be considered.

If PR is imposed by fabricating a constitutional crisis, it would only exacerbate the already unbearable problems faced by the public.

Meanwhile, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Keisham Meghachandra on Tuesday said that Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla's order scrapping the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Assembly was "illegal and unconstitutional".

After the resignation of N Biren from the post of chief minister on February 9, the Governor issued an order, declaring his previous directive to summon the assembly session as "null and void".

"The order issued by Hon ble Governor of Manipur dated 9th February 2025, thereby declaring the order dated 24th January 2025 as "null and void" is illegal and unconstitutional," Meghachandra said in a post on X."There is no move to summon assembly session even if today is the last day for a constitutionally mandated sitting of Manipur Legislative Assembly," he added.

"Constitutional crisis will be faced after a few hours in Manipur.

Hope PM Modi ji wants to impose Manipur under suspended animation or President's Rule.

We will stand against the move of suspended animation or PR," he added.

Communist Party of India, Manipur State Council also said the state would face a more challenging situation if N Biren is reinstated as the chief minister and demanded fresh assembly elections to establish a new administrative system.

Party secretary L Thoirel told reporters, "Democracy in Manipur has lost its meaning now.

A fresh mandate of people is urgently required so as to establish a new administrative system which honours democratic institutions.

Reinstating Biren Singh would lead the state to a more challenging situation" .

On the other-hand, noting that Article 174 (1) of the Constitution stipulates that there cannot be more than a six month gap between two assembly sessions, the Congress on Tuesday asked why the Manipur governor is "violating" the article by not summoning the Manipur Assembly for its constitutionally mandated session.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said "today is the last day for a constitutionally mandated sitting of the Manipur Legislative Assembly's session" .

Article 174 (1) of the Constitution of India stipulates there cannot be more than a six month gap between the last sitting of an assembly session and the first sitting of the next assembly session, he said.

"Why is the Manipur Governor violating Article 174(1) by not summoning the Manipur Legislative Assembly for its constitutionally mandated assembly session? " Ramesh said.

The session was declared null and void because the BJP could not appoint a successor to the CM against whom the Congress was scheduled to move a no-confidence motion on Monday and who was forced to resign on Sunday night, he said.

(With inputs from news agencies) .

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