Congress Criticizes PM Modi’s Manipur Visit as ‘Too Little, Too Late’
Assam Congress accuses PM of false claims, delayed action.
The Assam unit of the Congress party has sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent two-day visit to Manipur, branding it as “too little, too late” in addressing the state’s ongoing ethnic strife. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi accused the BJP of distorting facts and making baseless allegations against Congress leaders Jawaharlal Nehru and Rahul Gandhi during Modi’s visit.
Bordoloi highlighted the delay in Modi’s response to Manipur’s crisis, noting, “It took the Prime Minister over two-and-a-half years to visit Manipur, while he traveled to 39 foreign countries, some multiple times, during the same period.” The Congress has been vocal since May 2023, when violence erupted in Manipur, urging Modi to visit and address the escalating tensions that have claimed numerous lives and displaced thousands.
The MP refuted Modi’s claims made during a speech in Assam, where the Prime Minister accused Rahul Gandhi of supporting Pakistan during India’s ‘Operation Sindoor.’ Bordoloi countered, “Rahul Gandhi has consistently supported our armed forces, and these accusations are baseless.” He also dismissed Modi’s criticism of Jawaharlal Nehru as factually inaccurate, urging the BJP to verify claims before leveling such charges.
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Debabrata Saikia, Leader of Opposition in the Assam Assembly, also addressed the press conference, accusing the BJP of hypocrisy. He pointed out the irony of the party celebrating the birth centenary of Assam’s cultural icon Bhupen Hazarika, whose music championed harmony, while promoting divisive communal politics. “Hazarika’s legacy is about unity, but the BJP’s actions contradict this spirit,” Saikia remarked.
The Congress leaders’ statements reflect growing frustration with the central government’s handling of Manipur’s crisis, which has seen prolonged ethnic violence and governance challenges. They argue that Modi’s visit, while a step forward, falls short of addressing the deep-rooted issues plaguing the state. The party has called for meaningful dialogue and swift action to restore peace and stability in Manipur.
This controversy underscores the deepening political divide in Assam and Manipur, with the Congress positioning itself as a defender of inclusive values against what it calls the BJP’s divisive tactics. As tensions simmer, the opposition’s critique signals a broader demand for accountability from the central government in addressing regional crises.
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