Mallikarjun Kharge.
Credit: DH file photo
New Delhi: Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to uphold 'rajdharma', Congress on Saturday demanded fresh elections in the ethnic-violence hit Manipur, saying President's Rule has not provided any solution.
It also said the Prime Minister has not “spent a single second” in Manipur since violence started in the north-eastern state on the same day in 2023 though he made 44 visits to foreign countries and 250 domestic tours during the same period.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Manipur witnessed two years of violence but the Prime Minister did not set his foot there. He said violence continues with another incident being reported two days ago leaving 25 people injured in Tamenglong district.
“What happened to the Peace Committee announced by the Home Minister? Why didn’t you (PM) meet the affected people of all communities even in Delhi? Why didn’t you announce a special package for the state? Modi-ji, once again, you failed upholding -- Rajdharma,” he posted on ‘X’.
Addressing a press conference, Congress’ Manipur in-charge and senior MP Saptagiri Ulaka said Manipur is witnessing “one of the gravest humanitarian crises”.
“People fear that this violence was manufactured…The current situation on the ground is far from normal despite the imposition of President's rule. The President’s Rule has not been able to provide any solution,” he said.
“We feel that unless there is a discussion, unless people do not participate, the union government cannot create an atmosphere of peace. So we want you to conduct elections. The only solution is when you have a democratically elected government, then only you can provide a solution to Manipur,” Ulaka said.
President's rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13 and the assembly put under suspended animation, days after N Biren Singh resigned as Chief Minister. BJP has not managed to find a successor to Singh.
Manipur Congress president K Meghachandra Singh said, “We don't have any trust left in the Narendra Modi government even after President's rule. We demand fresh elections…We believe if a Congress government comes to power in the state, we can bring peace.”
He alleged that a peace committee was formed in 2023 but not a single meeting took place.
“If there is no dialogue, if the Constitutional machineries have failed, then what should we expect? We want to have a fresh mandate because the double engine government fails to administer the state. Even with President’s rule, they fail to bring peace and normalcy. We don’t have any trust in the Modi government,”he added.