BJP, Congress Clash Over Renewed Violence in Manipur

Renewed violence in Manipur has escalated political tensions between the BJP and Congress, with each blaming the other for the crisis. On Friday, BJP President JP Nadda accused Congress of promoting a “false and politically motivated narrative” about the unrest. His remarks followed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s call for President Droupadi Murmu to intervene, accusing the central government of failing to resolve the ongoing crisis.

Nadda criticized Congress for sensationalizing the issue, describing it as a deliberate attempt to divide the people and destabilize democracy. In a letter to Kharge, Nadda also attributed the unrest to Congress’ past governance failures, claiming that the party’s administration had legitimized illegal migration and failed to address local grievances.

He referenced historical violence during Congress rule, highlighting incidents from the 1990s and a 120-day blockade in 2011. In contrast, Nadda praised the Modi-led BJP government for transforming the Northeast through improved security, healthcare, education, and connectivity. He also pointed out that the percentage of people living in multidimensional poverty in Manipur dropped from over 20% in 2013 to just above 5% in 2022.

Meanwhile, Kharge’s letter to President Murmu painted a grim picture, stating that over 300 lives have been lost and nearly 100,000 people displaced due to the violence over the past 18 months. He accused the Union and state governments of failing to restore peace, emphasizing the urgency of presidential intervention to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The political feud underscores the broader challenges of resolving the situation in Manipur while balancing governance and accountability.