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Agartala: The Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi-led government, accusing it of failing to address the communal tensions in Manipur that have left over 200 dead, thousands injured, and lakhs of people were displaced. As part of the All India Congress Committee’s (AICC) nationwide “Raj Bhavan Chalo” campaign, the TPCC announced that it would march to the Raj Bhavan in Tripura on December 18 to demand the restoration of peace in Manipur, action on unemployment, and control over inflation.
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Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhavan here in Agartala on Sunday, senior Congress leader and member of the TPCC media cell Partha Acharjee criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of the Manipur crisis. “When Manipur was burning with violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities, resulting in tragic incidents such as mass rapes, arson, and even a shameful naked parade of women, the Prime Minister was busy with election campaigns in Karnataka and foreign tours,” Acharjee said.
He added, “Modi intervenes in global conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war but failed to address the crisis in Manipur, a small state in his own country. He didn’t even consider visiting the state, let alone making efforts to resolve the conflict. The phrase ‘Nero fiddled while Rome burned’ perfectly fits this indifference. In contrast, Rahul Gandhi visited Manipur, met the affected people, and heard their concerns.“
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Similarly, TPCC spokesperson Prabir Chakraborty also lambasted the central government by stating that its priorities are misplaced. “The Modi government has no focus on tackling unemployment or controlling inflation. Instead, its primary goal seems to be shielding corporate interests particularly those of Adani. Even in Parliament, any attempt by the opposition to raise these issues is met with disruptions to stifle debate,” Chakraborty alleged.
Highlighting the relevance of the Manipur crisis to the Congress’s demands, Chakraborty said, “The BJP government’s inability to bring peace and harmony in Manipur reflects its failure in governance. Thousands remain displaced, and their struggles are a testament to the government’s apathy.”
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The TPCC also drew attention to worsening conditions in Tripura. “Prices of essential goods in Tripura are higher than in most states and unemployment has reached record levels. While the BJP leadership accumulates wealth, lakhs of youths in Tripura suffer without any job opportunities,” Chakraborty said.
The “Raj Bhavan Chalo” campaign will press for two key demands including the restoration of peace in conflict-hit state like Manipur and immediate action to address rising unemployment and inflation including Tripura. The protest, part of a nationwide initiative by the Congress, aims to hold the BJP-led government accountable for its alleged governance failures.
Through this movement, the TPCC seeks to amplify voices from across the nation, with the Manipur crisis serving as a stark reminder of what the Congress terms as the central government’s failure to uphold its responsibilities.
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Tripura Congress Stages Massive Protest Rally as Part of Nationwide “Raj Bhavan Chalo” Campaign
The Tripura Pradesh Congress, in alignment with the All India Congress Committee (AICC), staged a protest rally under the “Raj Bhavan Chalo” campaign to highlight critical issues like unemployment, inflation, and the Central Government’s alleged inaction in addressing communal unrest in Manipur.
The rally began from the Agartala Press Club and headed towards Raj Bhavan. However, it was stopped near Circuit House by police barricades, leading to a confrontation as Congress supporters attempted to break through saying “BJP Hatao, Desh Bachao”. The police managed to control the situation, and a street corner meeting was held at the spot.
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Led by Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Ashish Kumar Saha, the rally witnessed speeches from senior leaders including MLA Sudip Roy Barman, Pijush Kanti Biswas, Partha Acharjee, and Prabir Chakraborty. The protesters criticized the BJP-led Central Government for alleged corruption, divisive politics, and favouritism towards corporate entities like the Adani Group.
While addressing the gathering, Pradesh Congress President Asish Kumar Saha accused the Central Government of prioritizing corporate interests over public welfare. “The Modi-led government remains silent on Gautam Adani’s financial corruption and fraud. They are protecting the interests of corporate groups while ignoring the struggles of the common people.”
“Even the ongoing violence in Manipur has been completely neglected by the Prime Minister, who has not visited the state once in the past 18 months,” Saha added.
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He criticized the government for failing to address the unrest in Parliament and demanded an investigation into corruption allegations. “Through this Raj Bhavan Chalo movement, Congress is submitting deputations across the country, urging action against corruption and measures to restore peace in Manipur,” he added.
On the other hand, senior Congress leader and MLA Sudip Roy Barman lashed out at the BJP-led Central Government for its handling of the Manipur crisis. He remarked, “For months, Manipur has been burning with violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities, but no meaningful steps have been taken to control the situation. Even if President’s Rule is imposed in the state, it seems unlikely to restore peace unless serious efforts are made.”
Barman also alleged that the BJP government was favouring corporate entities like the Adani Group while neglecting the economic woes of the country. He claimed, “Adani has become the richest person in India by evading taxes and exploiting national resources, while the BJP uses his money to fund its electoral campaigns. Contracts for airports, railways, coal, and even defence are being handed to Adani. The BJP’s motto seems to be: ‘Save Adani, Save the Nation.’”
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The Congress leaders concluded the protest by calling for unity among the people to address these challenges. Saha urged citizens to join the fight against corruption and the government’s anti-people policies. “The Congress is working to make people aware of the Modi-Adani nexus and unite the masses to tackle unemployment, inflation, and the ongoing violence in Manipur,” he said.
Although the rally failed to reach Raj Bhavan, it highlighted the party’s commitment to addressing the pressing concerns of both the state and the nation.
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