Imphal: The 21-member multi-party delegation of MPs of the Opposition’s Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) alliance reached Imphal on Saturday. Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury averred that they weren’t in the state to do politics as the ethnic conflict in Manipur has harmed India’s image.
He said, “We have come here to meet victims of ethnic clashes and understand the problem. We want the end of violence and the restoration of peace at the earliest. The whole world is watching what is going on in Manipur.”
Mere show-off and political tourism: BJP
On the other hand, leaders of the ruling BJP have hit out at the visit. They said it was a mere show-off and political tourism.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur said when Manipur used to remain shut for months, they had not spoken a word. When the delegation returns from Manipur, the members of the team will not allow Parliament to function. He said Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury must take the same delegation to West Bengal, where atrocities are happening against women.
BJP MP from Delhi Manoj Tiwari, too, reiterated similar points, calling the visit nothing but “political tourism”.
Manipur has been rocked by ethnic violence since early May, leading to the death of over 140 people. The delegation aims to mount pressure on the government seeking a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament. The visit also comes ahead of the much-awaited discussion in the Lok Sabha.
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