Ukhrul, Feb 14: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has expressed serious concerns over the suspension of Article 3 of the Indian Constitution following the imposition of the President’s Rule in the state.
Addressing the media at Congress Bhawan, BT Road, Imphal on Friday, MPCC President Keisham Meghachandra warned that the BJP-led Central government could exploit the situation to alter Manipur’s territorial integrity, state boundaries, or even rename the state. Meghachandra emphasised that President’s Rule suspends the powers of the state’s elected legislature, allowing the Centre to unilaterally make decisions regarding state reorganisation under Article 3. He alleged that the BJP government might misuse this provision, potentially jeopardizing Manipur’s territorial unity. The MPCC President asserted that the Congress party strongly opposes any such move, calling it a grave threat to the interests of Manipur’s people. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and called upon political parties, civil society organisations, and the public to unite to safeguard the state’s integrity.
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Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Okram Ibobi, speaking at the press conference, stated that the Congress never desired President’s Rule in Manipur. He criticised the BJP-led Central government for imposing it despite having an absolute majority in the state. Ibobi accused the Centre of exacerbating the crisis in Manipur since May 3, 2023, through deliberate inaction. He claimed that the ongoing turmoil and the failure to convene a budget session had led to widespread questioning of the BJP-led state government’s legitimacy. Ibobi also condemned Chief Minister N. Biren’s repeated visits to Delhi recently and his resignation just a day before the assembly session, stating that the BJP government chose to impose President’s Rule instead of holding the session, thereby marginalising the people of Manipur and treating them as “second-class citizens.”
Drawing parallels to the events of June 18, 2001, under the BJP-led NDA government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Ibobi alleged that the Centre’s inaction since May 3, 2023, was part of a well-planned strategy to destabilise Manipur. He accused the BJP of being “anti-Manipur” and lacking genuine concern for the state’s people. Ibobi reiterated that law and order could be restored without the President’s Rule and stressed that the BJP’s true intent might be to alter Manipur’s political and territorial status.
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Deputy CLP leader K. Ranjit also criticised the BJP-led Central government for imposing the President’s Rule while ignoring Manipur’s ongoing crisis. He accused the Centre of failing to address the state’s conflict and suggested that Delhi’s political agenda was behind the move. Ranjit revealed that Congress MLAs had planned to introduce a private member resolution to protect village volunteers during the budget session, but the imposition of the President’s Rule has stalled the Assembly, delaying crucial legislative action. He further highlighted that security forces have begun arresting village volunteers in Heirok, adding to the growing unrest in the state. He called for immediate action to address the concerns of the people and ensure the protection of their rights.
The MPCC has demanded a response from the BJP government regarding the recent developments in Manipur. The Congress party has vowed to continue its fight to protect the state’s integrity and ensure that the voices of Manipur’s people are heard. The party has called for unity among all stakeholders to resist any attempts to undermine Manipur’s territorial and political identity.
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It may be mentioned that following CM N. Biren’s resignation on February 9, President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday imposed President’s Rule in Manipur, citing political instability. This marks the 11th time Manipur has been under PR, the last being from June 2001 to March 2002. The first instance was in 1967, with multiple impositions over the decades. Manipur now surpasses Uttar Pradesh (9 times) and matches Punjab and Bihar (8 times each) in PR frequency. With the State Assembly suspended, fresh elections may be held within three months.
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