NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended his greetings to the people of Manipur on the statehood day. The Congress called the move “hollow” and said it reflected “his hypocrisy” as he had not visited the conflict-torn state even once since the violence began on May 3, 2023.
“Greetings to the people of Manipur on your Statehood Day. We are incredibly proud of the role played by the people of Manipur in the development of India. Best wishes for the progress of Manipur,” PM Modi said in a post on x.
“The formerly non-biological – and now suddenly human – Prime Minister has just sent greetings to the people of Manipur on their Statehood Day via social media. Yet he has stubbornly refused to visit Manipur, even briefly , since his agony began on May 3. “He has traveled all over the world, but has not found the time or inclination to reach out to the people of the state in Imphal and other places,” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said. , in a post on x.
“Mr Modi has stubbornly refused to meet his own party’s MPs in the state. He has not had a one-on-one meeting with the CM or MPs, political leaders and civil society organizations in the state. Your greetings on the Day of Statehood are empty and reflect their hypocrisy, which knows no limits,” he added.
The Congress also demanded the prime minister to visit the state immediately. “The INC India demands that you visit Manipur immediately. This is the least you can do to show your concern, if any. Outsourcing Manipur to the Union Home Minister is an abdication of the Prime Minister’s responsibility and has turned out to be disastrous “, said.
Prime Minister Modi last addressed the Manipur situation in August 2023, when he accused opposition parties, whom he referred to as ‘GHAMANDIA’ (arrogant), of betraying the troubled state.
“But it is very sad that these people have betrayed the people of Manipur in a major way. Before the start of the monsoon session of Parliament, Union Home Minister (Amit Shah) wrote a letter to these political parties and said that he immediately wanted to discuss Manipur with them because it is necessary that a detailed discussion should take place only on Manipur.” , said. had said.
The North Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971 led to the reorganization of states in the strategically important northeastern region of India. Under this act, Manipur and Tripura were granted statehood on January 21, 1972, while Meghalaya was separated from Assam due to its distinct terrain.