Even as the people of Manipur are offended by the chosen silence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and inaction of the Government of India over the almost one year violent conflict between the Kuki-Zomis and Meiteis, Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren praises the PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Both sides of the violent conflict have been showing their umbrage towards both the Central Government and State Government, and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for their failure to end the violent conflict till date.
According to reports, playing a voice recording of PM Modi speaking on the issue of Manipur violence on the floor of the Parliament and during the Independence Day speech at the Red Fort Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren praised PM Narendra Modi’s and HM Amit Shah’s stance on the Manipur issue. He praised the leaders while addressing a gathering at Manipur BJP Office, Thambal Shanglen in Imphal on Wednesday, April 3 during the Mahila Sammelan organised by the Mahila Morcha BJP Manipur.
Highlighting the announcements made by PM Modi and HM Amit Shah, including the scrapping of the FRM, the initiation of border fencing, and taking biometrics as measures for the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Manipur Chief Minister Biren interpreted these actions as evidence of the BJP’s commitment to the indigenous people of Manipur.
Recalling the public movement advocating for the implementation of the NRC, CM Biren urged the public to choose between the BJP, which has initiated the NRC process, and other parties that oppose it in the upcoming Lok Sabha election 2024 and also cautioned that those agitators who opt for other parties would be considered as cheaters or fake patriots.
Polling for Manipur’s two parliamentary seats would be completed in two phases – April 19 and 26. While all the voters in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, and 15 Assembly Constituencies of tribal-majority Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency will cast their ballots on April 19, remaining 13 Assembly Constituencies of the Outer Manipur Parliamentary will cast their votes on April 26.
The BJP has fielded Manipur’s Education, Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Thounaojam Basanta Kumar for the Inner Parliamentary Constituency while they are supporting their partner Naga People’s Front (NPF) candidate Kachui Timothy Zimic instead of nominating their own candidate.
Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc has let the Congress contest both the two Lok Sabha seats. Congress has picked Angcomcha Bimol Akoijam for the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency and Alfred Kanngam S Arthur for the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.
Demonstrating the Prime Minister’s great concern for Manipur and differentiating the BJP from other parties like the Indian National Congress (INC), CM Biren asserted that the BJP was the only party steadfastly committed to protecting Manipur’s integrity at any cost.
He expressed disappointment over certain vested groups alleging that they are misinforming the public to paint the BJP in a negative light, by spreading rumours that Modi does not speak a single word while Manipur is burning.
However, there is still displeasure of the people over the silence of PM Modi. People of the State continues to express this in various fora even by citing his visits to neighbouring Assam twice, including a pleasure trip to sight the one-horned rhino at the Kaziranga National Park while ignoring not just his party’s request to visit Manipur but also giving them an audience in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, Lok Sabha election 2024 is gearing up though lowkey in Manipur, INDIA Bloc is fielding common candidates for the Inner and Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituencies by shedding all political differences of the 10 parties to defeat the BJP and save Manipur.
Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said this speaking to media persons during a press meet at Irabot Bhavan Imphal todayon March 31. Appealing to the people to support INDIA Bloc’s candidates, Ibobi further said that BJP must be defeated to save Manipur, India’s Constitution, democracy and secularism.
Manipur’s current issue is a National issue and it has not been resolved even after months. Since May 3, 2023, more than 60,000 people have been displaced and are taking shelter in relief camps. BJP must be defeated to save Manipur, he added.
Veteran CPI leader and former Minister Dr M Nara also sought people’s support to INDIA Bloc’s candidates.
Former CPI State secretary L Sotinkumar said “Save Manipur, Save India and Defeat BJP” must be the mantra for all in the coming Lok Sabha elections. The BJP-led State Government, on the other hand, has failed to bring normalcy and resolve the nearly 11-month-old crisis. The party has also failed to raise its voice on the Manipur issue in the Parliament, he said.
CPI State secretary L Thoiren said INDIA Bloc is launching “Save Manipur, Save Humanity” campaign.
Moreover, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on April 4 formally unveiled the five guarantees that the Congress party pledges to implement for the welfare of the people of Manipur.
These guarantees encompass the restoration of peace; tabling of the Displaced Persons (Compensation and Resettlement) Bill; legislation to ensure employment opportunities for village volunteers within state forces; a dedicated job quota for those physically handicapped due to the crisis; and the formation of an inquiry commission to evaluate property losses during violent episodes.
Unveiling the Five Guarantees former Chief Minister and CLP leader Okram Ibobi hit on the current BJP-led government, criticising its penchant for blaming the previous Congress administration for governance shortcomings. Ibobi shed light on the dire situation of individuals residing in relief camps for over a year, branding it as a glaring indication of the government’s inefficacy.
Strongly condemning purported efforts to influence voters through monetary inducements, Ibobi urged the electorate to stand firm against such unethical tactics and prioritise their integrity.
Furthermore, reacting to a statement given by Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren regarding implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state, Working President Kh Devbarta said their opposition is to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and not against NRC.
Speaking to the media at a press meet held at Congress Bhawan on April 4, Devabarta highlighted that Rahul Gandhi articulated this perspective by accusing the BJP of exploiting the citizenship act for communal gains.
Devbarta mentioned that the CM Biren’s statement of implementing NRC soon in Manipur lacks substance, as there is no official documentation supporting this claim. He also said, no discussions regarding the NRC have taken place during State Assembly sessions.
According to reports, Devabarta said the State indeed possesses the authority to identify and report individuals who have entered illegally, with provisions outlined in the Foreigners Act and Passport Act. However, the government’s failure to invest in infrastructure and tribunal appointments hampers effective execution of these measures. Instead of addressing these fundamental shortcomings, efforts have been diverted towards investigating allegations of large-scale migration from Myanmar to Manipur, exemplified by the appointment of Letpao Haokip to represent the cabinet in this matter” he added.
Devbarta further said that the NRC has primarily been implemented in Assam. For the NRC to be updated in Manipur, a gazette notification is imperative. Despite the Chief Minister’s assurances of implementation, the absence of official documentation, cabinet decisions, or communications from the Central Government’s Home Ministry raises doubts, he added.
Now, amidst the heightened political tension as election propaganda surrounding the Manipur issue, it is quite clear that the Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren and his party’s understanding of the Central Government’s stance over Manipur violence is contrary to what the people and opposition political parties perceive.
Senior Editor: Imphal Review of Arts and Politics
1 thought on “CM Biren and Manipur BJP’s View of Centre’s Stance on Manipur Issue is Contrary to How Opposition Parties Perceive it”
Let’s vote oja Bimol this time.
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