New Delhi [India], February 10: Following the resignation of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kirti Azad strongly criticized the BJP, holding the party accountable for the atrocities that took place in Manipur. He stated that the resignation should have occurred much earlier, as the violence and its associated impacts have been ongoing for more than two years.
Azad said, “The resignation should have been given two years ago since the ethnic violence took place. Atrocities were caused against women and children. It is very sad that the government sitting in the centre does not know how to run governments. There is so much anger among the common people, which cannot be described. BJP will have to answer for the atrocities that have happened in Manipur.”
Earlier today, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also voiced her opinion, calling Singh’s resignation “long overdue” and emphasizing that the violence had been ongoing for over two years in the state.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra remarked, “It was long overdue. This has been carrying on for over two years in Manipur.”
Congress MP Manickam Tagore added that the BJP‘s decision to accept Biren Singh’s resignation came “hurriedly” just as opposition parties, including Congress, were about to introduce a no-confidence motion. He also pointed to the BJP’s alleged role in fueling hate politics in Manipur, claiming that the party’s actions were long delayed.
Tagore said, “We all know that the hate politics of the BJP, especially the RSS and its organizations in Manipur has crossed its limits. After 22 months, the BJP has acted on it. And before the Congress party and other opposition parties were about to bring a no-confidence motion, they hurriedly took this decision.”
Singh’s resignation came after nearly two years of ongoing violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in the state, which was exacerbated by a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3, 2023. The rally was triggered by the Manipur High Court’s order directing the state government to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes list. The violence has deeply affected the region, with significant loss and suffering, particularly among women and children.
The resignation has sparked further debates on accountability and how the violence in Manipur was handled by both the state and central governments.