TMC Leader Slams PM Modi’s Manipur Visit as ‘Long Overdue’ and Disappointing
Kolkata: West Bengal Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Shashi Panja has hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Manipur. She called it long overdue but disappointing, saying the state got ignored because it has just one parliamentary seat and little political gain.
During a press conference on Friday, Panja stressed that the people of Manipur’s views matter most. "What Manipur’s people think and feel is key. The human rights crisis there, the injustices, the violence—everything, including the insults to women—has been heartbreaking. They hoped the PM would visit soon. It’s long overdue, and now it’s happening, but we’re sad," she said.
Panja added, "If a state has only one MP seat or doesn’t offer big political benefits, leaders just ignore it. This is really disappointing."
Earlier that day, PM Modi announced his plans ahead of the visit. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: "I will be attending programmes in Churachandpur and Imphal tomorrow, 13th September. We are fully committed to furthering inclusive and all-round development of Manipur."
The PM will lay foundation stones for key projects like road initiatives, National Highway projects, women’s hostels, and more. Projects to be inaugurated include the Civil Secretariat at Mantripukhri, the IT SEZ Building, the New Police Headquarters at Mantripukhri, and a unique all-women market across districts.
This trip is part of PM Modi’s five-day tour to Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar from September 13 to 15. He will kick off and inaugurate projects worth Rs 71,850 crore in total.
Focusing on Manipur’s growth, PM Modi will launch development projects worth over Rs 7,300 crore in Churachandpur. Highlights include the Manipur Urban Roads, drainage, and asset management improvement project (over Rs 3,600 crore); five National Highway projects (more than Rs 2,500 crore); the Manipur Infotech Development (MIND) project; and working women’s hostels at nine locations.
The visit comes amid ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur, where violence has raged since May 2023, displacing thousands and raising serious human rights concerns. Panja’s sharp words highlight the political divide over how the Centre handles the Northeast state.
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