Congress leader Pawan Khera on Thursday strongly criticized the BJP over its handling of the Manipur crisis, blaming its governance failures for the imposition of President’s Rule in the state.
In a post on X, Khera accused the BJP’s “double-engine government” of failing to govern, heal, and protect the people of Manipur. He also condemned the imposition of President’s Rule, calling it an acknowledgment of failure by both the state and central governments.
“After 9 months of chaos, President’s Rule is an admission of failure. A failure of the state government, the central leadership, and a Prime Minister who stayed silent while Manipur burned. This isn’t governance; this is abandonment,” Khera wrote.
The Congress leader further alleged that the crisis in Manipur was not just a matter of administrative failure but a consequence of the BJP’s divisive politics.
“Manipur’s tragedy isn’t just about misgovernance – it exposes BJP’s politics of division. A state once known for its resilience is now trapped in an endless cycle of violence, deep mistrust, and despair. Where was the urgency when people were crying for help? Why was the Prime Minister missing when Manipur needed leadership the most?” Khera added in his post.
On Thursday, President’s Rule was officially imposed in Manipur, days after BJP leader N Biren Singh resigned as the state’s Chief Minister, nearly two years after ethnic violence erupted in the region.
President Droupadi Murmu approved the decision after receiving a report from the state Governor. Biren Singh, who stepped down on Sunday, expressed gratitude to the central government for its interventions and developmental efforts in Manipur.
“I am extremely grateful to the Central government for timely actions, interventions, developmental work, and implementation of various projects for safeguarding the interest of every single Manipuri,” Singh stated in his resignation letter.
The violence in Manipur erupted on May 3, 2023, between the Meitei and Kuki communities following a rally organized by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM). The unrest began after the Manipur High Court directed the state government to consider granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community, leading to widespread protests and clashes.