Manipur Congress requests Kharge to take action against Chidambaram over X post on regional autonomy

Guwahati: Staring at a possible embarrassment over senior leader and former Union Home Minister P Chidambram's post on X suggesting regional autonomy for the ethnic communities as a solution to the conflict in Manipur, state unit of Congress wrote a letter to the party chief Mallikarjun Kharge seeking action against him.

Condemning Chidambaram's post on X, Manipur unit of Congress in a letter to Kharge said, "The post contains language and sentiments that are highly inappropriate during this hour of heightened tension, public grief, and political sensitivity in Manipur."

In his now deleted post, Chidambaram targeted CM Biren Singh and said that sending 5,000 central armed forces by the Centre is not the answer to the Meitei-Kuki conflict in Manipur. "It is more wisdom: acknowledging that Mr. Biren Singh, the chief minister, is the cause of the crisis and removing him immediately. It is more understanding: that the Meitei, the Kuki-Zo and the Naga can live together in one State only if they have genuine regional autonomy. It is more statesmanship: for the Hon'ble PM to give up his obstinacy, visit Manipur, and speak to the people of Manipur with humility and learn first-hand grievances and aspirations."

In the letter signed by at least 15 Congress leaders including MLAs and former ministers, the party said, "Congress party always stands for the unity and territorial integrity of the state of Manipur. We request AICC for prompt appropriate action against Shri P. Chidambaram for his post today and direct him to delete it immediately."

Even president of the Manipur unit of Congress, K Meghachandra on Tuesday replied in X to Chidambaram's post asking the former Union Home Minister to delete the post. Chidambaram deleted the post soon after.

Sources in the Congress on Wednesday said Chidambaram's suggestion about regional autonomy aligns with the demand for a "separate administration" by the Kuki-Zo communities, something which may anger the majority Meitei community in the Valley. "This also contradicts our party's stand for unity and integrity of Manipur's territory."

CM Biren Singh also reacted to Chidambaram's post on Tuesday evening alleging that Congress party had encouraged "illegal Kuki migrants" from Myanmar, which resulted in the present conflict. He said the Congress government had signed the Suspension of Operations agreement with the Kuki insurgent groups, which are involved in the conflict.