Congress Slams Manipur Governor Over BJP-Only Meeting Ahead of PM Modi’s Visit
In Imphal, the Congress party has fired sharp criticism at Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. They accuse him of showing favoritism by meeting only with senior BJP leaders and MLAs to discuss Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s possible visit to the state on September 13. This move, they say, raises big questions about fairness in politics.
The drama started on Sunday when the Governor called a meeting at Raj Bhavan. Top BJP figures, including former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, joined along with key civil and security officials. They talked about preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit. But Congress leaders are furious that no opposition voices got an invite.
Okram Ibobi Singh, a three-time former Manipur Chief Minister and the Congress Legislature Party leader, led the charge on Monday. He called the meeting a "shocking display of partisanship" that hurts the dignity of the Governor’s constitutional role. Speaking to the media with other party leaders by his side, Ibobi said this selective gathering ignores democratic values and silences elected representatives who speak for the people.
"The meeting undermines everything we stand for in democracy," Ibobi told reporters. He demanded that all MLAs, no matter their party, join talks on Manipur’s ongoing crisis. "If it’s about tackling violence in Manipur, leaving out opposition MLAs is an insult to the state’s people," he added.
Ibobi didn’t stop there. He slammed the handling of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, a key peace deal signed in 2008 during Congress rule. The agreement lets militants pause fighting, but it lapsed for nearly a year before getting extended. Ibobi accused BJP governments at the Centre and in the state of turning a blind eye to repeated violations of its rules. "Instead of sending issues to the monitoring committee, the old state government pushed resolutions to scrap the SoO for two militant groups. The Centre did nothing, leaving communities at risk while militants roamed free," he said.
As for PM Modi’s visit, Ibobi called it "more of a tour than a mission." He pointed out that the Prime Minister seems to prioritize Mizoram and Assam, with Manipur getting just a quick stop. "A short visit without real promises or a clear plan to end the violence shows neglect for Manipur’s suffering," Ibobi warned. He added that people in the state won’t settle for empty gestures. "The PM thinks he can calm things with a brief stop, but folks here need action, not just words."
Still, the Congress welcomes high-profile visits like this. Ibobi stressed that they must include real talks and solid solutions to build trust. He believes the Governor’s biased meeting and the Centre’s failure to enforce the SoO have only worsened distrust in Manipur. "Skipping elected reps and ignoring citizen-protection deals damages the image of Raj Bhavan and the Central government," he said.
Ibobi wasn’t alone in his protest. Congress Working Committee member Gaikhangam Gangmei, MLAs Lokeshwar Singh and Surjakumar Okram, former MLA Loken Singh, and other senior leaders stood with him.
This row highlights growing tensions in Manipur politics, especially with the Prime Minister’s visit on the horizon. As the state grapples with violence and unrest, calls for inclusive dialogue grow louder. Will the Governor and Centre respond? Stay tuned for updates on Manipur news and BJP-Congress clashes.
