Following the resignation of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, alleged that the resignation was not in the interest of the people of Manipur but rather a strategy to protect the BJP government in the state.
In a post on X, Gogoi stated, “Biren Singh’s resignation isn’t about saving the people of Manipur, it’s about saving the BJP government. Home Minister Amit Shah intervened after it became clear that the BJP was going to lose the no-confidence motion. The BJP lacks any roadmap to restore peace and normalcy to the state. It’s in the party’s DNA to prioritize its own interests over the needs of the people.”
Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also commented on the resignation, stating that it came amid growing pressure from the public, the Supreme Court, and the Congress party. Gandhi accused Biren Singh of “instigating” divisions in Manipur and blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allowing his continued leadership despite the violence. “For nearly two years, BJP’s CM Biren Singh instigated division in Manipur. PM Modi allowed him to continue despite the violence, loss of life, and the destruction of the idea of India in Manipur,” Gandhi wrote on X.
Gandhi further added, “Biren Singh’s resignation shows that public pressure, the Supreme Court investigation, and the Congress no-confidence motion have forced a reckoning.”
Biren Singh submitted his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Sunday, nearly two years after violent clashes erupted between the Meitei and Kuki communities in the state. The violence, which began after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3, 2023, followed a Manipur High Court order that directed the state to consider including the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes list.
In his resignation letter, Singh expressed his gratitude to the people of Manipur, stating, “It has been an honour to serve the people of Manipur so far. I am extremely grateful to the Central government for its timely actions, interventions, and developmental work.” Singh also urged the Central government to continue its work in safeguarding the interests of the people, including maintaining territorial integrity, cracking down on border infiltration, and addressing the drug and narco-terrorism issues.
Singh’s resignation comes after meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi earlier on Sunday.
