Congress slams BJP over Manipur crisis, labels JP Nadda’s letter as “diversionary”

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh has sharply criticized BJP National President and Union Minister JP Nadda over his letter to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge concerning the ongoing crisis in Manipur. 

In a scathing statement, Ramesh accused the BJP of deflecting from the core issues plaguing the state, which has been in turmoil since May 2023.

“It has been 18 months. Since May 3, 2023, Manipur has been burning. The BJP got a full majority in the 2022 Manipur elections. In Manipur, the double-engine government has become a double-game government. One game is being played here and another there. And this letter of JP Nadda only contains lies. He is trying to divert attention from the main matter,” Ramesh stated.

Highlighting the questions being raised by the people of Manipur, Ramesh said, "People of Manipur are asking 4 questions...one, why the PM has not visited Manipur in the last 18 months?... Two, why there is no full-time Governor in Manipur?... Three, why parties have withdrawn their support from the CM?..Still, why the CM feels safe, because he is getting protection from Delhi?... Four, everyone knows the PM has outsourced Manipur to the Union Home Minister. And he has completely failed. Why no action has been taken against drug mafias? ...""

Also Read: BJP President criticises Congress stance on Manipur, defends government response

Ramesh’s remarks come amid escalating tensions in Manipur, where violence and unrest have drawn criticism of the state and central governments. 

The Congress leader’s response underscores the party’s position that the BJP leadership has failed to address the root causes of the crisis.

The BJP is yet to respond to the Congress’s allegations, but Nadda’s letter has sparked intense political debate as the situation in Manipur remains a focal point of national attention.

Earlier today, BJP National President JP Nadda has issued a strongly-worded letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, challenging the Congress party's portrayal of the Manipur situation and its criticism of the government's handling of the crisis.

Nadda's letter, dated November 21, 2024, comes in response to Kharge's recent communication with President Droupadi Murmu regarding the violence in Manipur. The BJP president highlighted significant improvements in the northeastern state, noting that "the percentage of people suffering from Multidimensional poverty has reduced from over 20% in 2013 to just over 5% in 2022."

The letter criticised the Congress party's historical handling of unrest in Manipur, specifically referencing the "black period of the 90s when thousands were killed and lakhs displaced due to rampant violence." Nadda also mentioned a 2011 incident where "Manipur witnessed a complete blockade for more than 120 days. Petrol prices and LPG process were nearly four-times higher than the rest of the country."