IMPHAL, March 7: Congress leader and All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka has sharply criticized the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, calling it an “unprecedented” and “unfortunate” move by the central government, despite the state having 55 elected MLAs. Ulaka, during a visit to the region, met with Congress leaders, party members, and workers to strategize for the upcoming general elections.

Addressing the media at Congress Bhavan, he condemned the BJP-led government’s decision, stating that it highlights the government’s failure to maintain law and order in the state, which has been struggling with ongoing civil unrest and blockades.

Ulaka argued that the imposition of President’s Rule reveals the central government’s inability to effectively manage the state’s affairs, even though the BJP holds a majority of seats in the state assembly. He emphasized that the BJP’s leadership had lost the confidence of its own representatives, leading to the ousting of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. This, according to Ulaka, reflects the BJP’s governance failure and its inability to handle the complex issues at hand, including the escalating violence in Manipur.

Criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their silence and mishandling of the crisis, Ulaka recalled Congress’s earlier efforts to address the issue in Parliament, including a no-confidence motion. However, he claimed that Shah’s response was inadequate. Ulaka also accused the BJP and its leadership of fostering violence in Manipur through a divide-and-rule strategy, further exacerbating the situation in the state.

During his visit, Ulaka reaffirmed Congress’s commitment to the people of Manipur and pledged to continue raising the issues of governance and lawlessness in the upcoming parliamentary sessions. He highlighted the party’s ongoing efforts to support the people, including Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, which had started from Manipur to emphasize the state’s significance. Ulaka stressed that Congress would continue to monitor the situation closely and would be advocating for the state’s needs in future legislative discussions, including issues such as the deteriorating economy and the failure of welfare programs.

The Congress also took the opportunity to reiterate its readiness for the upcoming elections, emphasizing the party’s focus on bringing change to the region. Ulaka noted that Congress leaders, including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, had visited Manipur to offer solidarity, while criticizing Prime Minister Modi for not addressing the ongoing crisis in the Lok Sabha.