Prime Minister Narendra Modi can’t escape accountability by ignoring Manipur: Congress

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday once again slammed the BJP-led Central government over the ethnic violence in Manipur, saying the people of the northeastern state have been watching “how Prime Minister Narendra Modi abandoned the state at a time when his intervention and outreach was needed the most”.

Criticizing PM Modi, the Congress said he cannot escape accountability and responsibility by completely ignoring the crisis. In a post on ‘X’, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said: “Today is the 175th day since the Manipur crisis erupted and social harmony in the state was devastated. But five questions continue to be asked by the people of Manipur themselves and by all those wanting the process of reconciliation and trust-building in the state to gather momentum.”

Firing salvos at the government, the Congress leader said: “Why has the Prime Minister not even met the Chief Minister of Manipur and elected MLAs of the state, a large majority of whom belong to his own party or are his party’s allies? Why has the Union Minister of State of External Affairs who represents Manipur (Inner) in the Lok Sabha not been able to meet the Prime Minister?”

He further questioned why the Prime Minister who loves to travel “at the drop of a hat” has not seen it fit to spend even a few hours in Manipur to show his concern, and why is the Chief Minister who is so thoroughly discredited across sections of Manipur’s society still being allowed to continue. “The people of Manipur and the entire Northeast are closely watching how the Prime Minister has abandoned the state of Manipur at a time when his intervention and outreach was needed the most. He cannot escape accountability and responsibility by completely ignoring the crisis,” the Rajya Sabha member said.

“Why has the PM who pontificates on all subjects not seen it fit to speak on Manipur publicly for more than 4-5 minutes at most, that too in a routine manner and after immense pressure from the Opposition?” Ramesh posted on 'X'. His remarks came in context of the ethnic clashes in Manipur that broke out on May 3, and the subsequent crisis. The Congress has been critical of the Central government for failing to control the ethnic violence in the north-eastern state and has demanded the removal of N. Biren Singh as the Chief Minister of Manipur. The Congress has also demanded implementation of the President’s Rule in the state. IANS

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