Malappuram (Kerala): Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stated on Monday that the resignation of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh was “long overdue.”
She pointed out that the violence in the northeastern state had been ongoing for two years when she spoke to reporters in Malappuram.
“This resignation was long overdue… The situation in Manipur has been ongoing for two years,” said Priyanka.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore also commented on the matter, claiming that the BJP made the decision to have Singh resign hastily, just before opposition parties were set to introduce a no-confidence motion.
“The BJP acted quickly, knowing that the hate politics of the BJP, particularly from the RSS and its affiliates in Manipur, had crossed all limits. After 22 months, the BJP has taken action, but only after Congress and other opposition parties were preparing to file a no-confidence motion,” Tagore stated.
Biren Singh submitted his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhawan on Sunday, nearly two years after violent unrest shook the state.
The conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities began following a rally organized by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3, 2023, after the Manipur High Court ordered the state to review the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes list.
Singh was accompanied by BJP President A Sharda, North East Manipur in-charge Sambit Patra, and at least 19 MLAs when he resigned.
In his resignation letter, Singh expressed his honour in serving the people of Manipur and extended his gratitude to the Central government for its support, interventions, and development efforts to protect the interests of Manipuris.
Earlier, Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi stated that Biren Singh’s resignation was the result of mounting pressure from the public, the Supreme Court, and Congress.
Gandhi accused Singh of contributing to the division in Manipur and criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for permitting him to continue.
“For nearly two years, CM Biren Singh, under the BJP, fueled division in Manipur. Despite the violence and loss of lives, PM Modi allowed him to remain in office,” Rahul Gandhi wrote on X.
He further added, “The resignation of CM Biren Singh is a direct result of growing public pressure, the Supreme Court’s investigation, and the no-confidence motion introduced by Congress.”
