NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of having “some vested interests” in ethnic conflict in Manipur after fresh violence erupted in the state on Friday. The Congress president also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not paying a visit to the strife-torn state since it began.
“Your last visit to Manipur was for seeking votes for BJP, way back in January 2022. Violence erupted in the state on 3rd May 2023. More than 600 days have passed, and media reports through satellite images have now revealed that villages after villages have been wiped off in the state,” Kharge said in a post on X.
“We are repeating with utmost responsibility that the BJP has some vested interests to keep the beautiful border state on the boil, with more than 250 innocent deaths and 60,000 being displaced. People are still living in camps for 20 months,” he added.
Kharge also pointed out that INDIA bloc parties had made three requests to the central government:
- Visit Manipur before 2024 ends, but you did NOT
- Call representatives of All Political Parties at your office in Delhi, but you HAVEN’T
- Involve yourself directly in Manipur, but it DOES NOT seem that you have.
“Even if you do either of the above, you cannot escape the Constitutional culpability of not following the Rajdharma. BJP is the matchstick which burnt Manipur!” Kharge said.
Criticising Manipur CM N Biren, who recently expressed regret over the ongoing crisis, Kharge said, “Your incompetent and shameless chief minister has expressed regret but has conveniently brazened out your absence in the state.”
“This entire year has been very unfortunate. I feel regret and I want to say sorry to the people of the state for what is happening till today, since last May 3. Many people lost their loved ones. Many people left their homes. I really feel regret,” Biren had said.
A mob assaulted the office of the Superintendent of Police in the Kangpokpi district on Friday. The attack was allegedly prompted by the officer’s failure to remove central forces from Saibol village, located at the border of Imphal East district. According to officials, several individuals were injured in the incident.
