NEW DELHI: Strongly criticizing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Manipur crisis, the Congress on Wednesday said never before has a prime minister completely abandoned a state and its people like this.
Elaborating on the Congress party’s contention in this regard, the general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that on the evening of 3 May, Manipur violence started because of the divisive politics of the so-called double engine sarkar the state. After almost a month, and following being relieved from Karnataka election duties and other such urgent issues, the home minister Amit Shah deemed it fit to tour the northeastern state. But there has been no significant improvement, the Statesman reported.
He said that things have turned from bad to worse in Manipur. Social harmony has broken down completely. Horrific details of violent crimes are being reported every other day. Tens of thousands of people continue to languish in relief camps. Clashes between the state police and armed forces are routine.
Ramesh also criticized Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh for continuing in office despite a majority of BJP MLAs wanting him to quit.
He particularly condemned Modi for his alleged indifference to the embattled state of Manipur, saying, the premier has been completely silent on the issue except for a much-belated, ritualistic, and routine comment for less than five minutes in a 133-minute speech in Lok Sabha on 10 August 10.
The senior Congress leader posed a volley of queries to PM Modi over the situation in the strife-hit state. When was the last time the prime minister visited Manipur? When was the last time he spoke to the BJP chief minister of Manipur? When was the last time Modi met BJP MLAs of Manipur? When was the last time he discussed the state with his cabinet colleagues from Manipur? he asked.
Ramesh alleged that the state has come to this horrendous situation barely fifteen months after the saffron party came to power in the state riding on a huge mandate.
Manipur Crisis
Ethnic clashes started in Manipur on 3 May. Ever since hundreds of Indians have lost their lives while thousands have been forced to take refuge in relief camps.
The Opposition bloc, INDIA, has been criticizing the BJP-led Central government headed by Narendra Modi over its handling of the crisis and demanding the dismissal of Biren Singh.
