Congress hits out at PM Modi for skipping Manipur amid 44 foreign trips since 2022

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, accusing him of deliberately ignoring the continuing ethnic violence in Manipur. The state, which marked the second anniversary of the Meitei-Kuki conflict on May 3, remains in crisis, with over 260 lives lost and tens of thousands displaced.

In a public statement, Kharge alleged that the Prime Minister has failed to uphold “Rajdharma,” pointing out that Modi has undertaken 44 foreign visits and over 250 domestic ones since January 2022, but has not spent even a second in Manipur. “Why this apathy and disdain for the people of Manipur?” Kharge asked, calling the silence inexcusable.

Manipur has been under President’s rule since February 2025, but the Congress leader said that came too late. He claimed the Centre acted only after the BJP faced a no-confidence motion and internal strife over leadership in the state. “Why didn’t you sack the Chief Minister earlier? Why was President’s rule imposed at 2 AM, almost 20 months after repeated appeals?” he questioned.

Kharge also highlighted that violence continues despite central rule. Just days before the anniversary of the conflict, 25 more people were injured in fresh clashes in Tamenglong. He accused the government of a “double assault” — a failure both during state rule and under direct central administration.

The Congress president further criticised financial decisions, alleging that the Centre’s recent grant demand for Manipur included significant cuts in social welfare spending. He asked why no special relief package was announced, and why even in Delhi, the Prime Minister had failed to meet victims from all communities.

Closing his remarks, Kharge questioned the effectiveness of the so-called Peace Committee set up by the Home Ministry. “Where is the peace? Where is the accountability?” he said. The opposition has warned that the lack of political presence in Manipur reflects a deeper neglect of constitutional duties.