Amid the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the BJP for blazing the state and stated, “BJP is the matchstick which burnt Manipur!”
Violence erupted in Manipur between the ethnic communities including the majority Meiteis and the minority Kukis over the dispute of quota and economic benefits on May 3, 2023.
In a tweet on X addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kharge indicated the PM’s ignorance of Manipur and alleged his last visit to the state in January 2022 was a meticulous plan to seek votes.
He highlighted that in the 600 days since the eruption of violence in the state, numerous villages have been obliterated. He further acknowledged the fresh violence in the form of a mob attack against the Superintendent of Police and the DC and administration office in the Kangpokpi district.
Condemning the Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s statement, Kharge stated, “Your incompetent and shameless Chief Minister has expressed regret but has conveniently brazened out your absence in the state.”
Kharge accused the BJP of seeking personal gain through the series of violent incidents in the beautiful state, which have led to over 250 deaths and the displacement of around 60,000 people. He also pointed out that some are still living in camps after 20 months.
The Congress Chief recounted the three demands made by the INDIA bloc to PM Modi on December 6 which included visiting Manipur before 2024, calling representatives of all political parties, and involving himself in the Manipur issue.
He emphasized that none of the demands has been fulfilled by the Prime Minister. He asserted, “Even if you do either of the above, you cannot escape the Constitutional culpability of not following the Rajdharma.”
