Mallikarjun Kharge Slams Modi Over President’s Rule in Manipur: ‘A Direct Admission of Failure’

New Delhi: Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, launched a fierce attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur. Kharge accused the BJP of admitting its failure by suspending its own government in the northeastern state.

In a post on X, Kharge termed the move a “constitutional crisis” and claimed that BJP’s MLAs were unwilling to bear the “baggage of the government’s incompetence.”

Taking a direct dig at the BJP, Kharge reminded the ruling party of its long tenure both at the Centre and in Manipur. “It is your party that has been ruling at the Centre for 11 years. It is your party that was ruling Manipur for 8 years. It is the BJP that was responsible for maintaining law and order in the state. It is your government that is responsible for national security and border patrol,” he wrote.

“The imposition of President’s Rule by you, suspending your own party’s government, is a direct admission of how you failed the people of Manipur,” Kharge added.

Referring to the BJP’s much-publicized “double-engine government,” he further remarked, “Your double engine ran over the lives of the innocent people of Manipur!”

Kharge also urged PM Modi to visit Manipur and personally witness the suffering of the people. “High time you now step in Manipur and listen to the pain and trauma of the suffering people and apologize to them. Do you have the courage of conviction?” he questioned.

The Congress leader asserted that the people of Manipur will not forgive the BJP for the ongoing crisis.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened in Imphal following the imposition of President’s Rule amid prolonged ethnic violence and political instability. President Droupadi Murmu approved the decision on Thursday based on a report from the state governor.

The move comes just days after N. Biren Singh resigned as Chief Minister of Manipur on February 9. His departure followed nearly two years of unrest that saw violent clashes between the majority Meitei community and the minority Kuki-Zomi tribes over economic benefits, job quotas, and land rights. The conflict has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced approximately 60,000 people.

The President’s Rule will remain in place for up to six months, subject to parliamentary approval. During this period, the central government will oversee governance, with fresh elections expected to form a new assembly.