Assam CM Blames Congress for Northeastern Troubles and Manipur Crisis

Last Updated on September 20, 2023 by SPN Editor

Jodhpur/ September 20, 2023 (SPN) | Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is currently attending the BJP’s Parivartan Sankalp Yatra in Jodhpur, has accused the Congress of causing unrest in all eight northeastern states during its rule and held the party’s policies responsible for the ongoing Manipur crisis.

Speaking to reporters during his visit, Sarma stated, “When the Congress was in power, all eight states of the northeast were disturbed. Today, there is peace in seven states.”

He went on to assert that the Congress’s governance decisions were a major factor contributing to the challenging situation in Manipur, where ethnic violence has led to over 175 casualties and hundreds of injuries since May 3.

This violence erupted during a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organized in protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status in the hill districts of Manipur.

Sarma also raised concerns about the Congress and the opposition INDIA bloc’s silence regarding the controversial remarks made by a member of an alliance party about Sanatan Dharma. He interpreted this silence as an implicit endorsement of those remarks.

“The Congress has remained silent despite repeated statements by INDIA (bloc) members against Sanatana Dharma,” Sarma criticized. “Even Rahul Gandhi has not issued any statement distancing himself from the criticism of Sanatan Dharma. This clearly suggests that he is in agreement with them.”

Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, had likened Sanatan Dharma to diseases like coronavirus, malaria, and fever caused by dengue virus and mosquitoes, and called for its eradication.

Assam CM Himanta also expressed concern over the continuous criticism of Sanatan Dharma within the INDIA alliance while contrasting it with the swift response to any criticism against Islam.

“Even though I don’t endorse speaking against any religion, the Congress has maintained silence despite statements against Sanatana Dharma,” Sarma emphasized.

Addressing the political scenario in Rajasthan, Sarma accused Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of being anxious and announced the launch of new schemes just ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

He criticized Gehlot for not initiating these schemes earlier if they were genuinely aimed at benefiting the people. Rajasthan is set to hold assembly elections later this year.

• Also Read: The Manipur Crisis: Unraveling the Congress Party’s Role

Sarma also took the opportunity to recall his days in the Congress, alleging that the party had a tradition of distributing mobile phones, laptops, and spices before elections.

He highlighted the disparity in inflation rates, with Assam’s rate at 4 percent and Rajasthan’s at 8.6 percent, demanding an apology from the Congress government for the high fuel prices in Rajasthan.

Additionally, he called on Congress to halt the “drama” of rolling out relief measures.

The political dynamics in the northeastern states and the ongoing Manipur crisis continue to be a matter of contention and discussion among regional and national leaders.