Manipur MP blames BJP for unrest, warns Assam of divisions in Congress poll push

Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam on April 1 squarely blamed the BJP for the recent incidents in Manipur, using the issue as the central argument in his campaign pitch while canvassing for Congress candidate Shanti Kumar Singh in Assam’s Lakhipur.

 

Speaking at the Congress office in Silchar, Akoijam said, “Due to the BJP, all the incidents that happened in Manipur in recent days occurred,” directly attributing the unrest to the ruling party’s policies. He argued that the situation reflects a broader pattern of governance that, according to him, encourages division.

 

He reiterated that Manipur must be seen within the national framework. “Don’t think of Manipur as separate from India—it is an integral part of India,” he said, adding that the implications of the crisis go beyond state boundaries.

 

Expanding on the point, Akoijam alleged that the BJP had “divided Manipur by labelling people as tribal and non-tribal” and warned that Assam could face similar divisions given its diverse social composition. He said such strategies risk deepening fault lines among communities for political gain.

 

Framing the Congress campaign as a counter to this approach, he stressed the need for unity. “We are all one,” he said, urging voters to reject divisive narratives and support Congress in the upcoming Assam election.

 

Akoijam also criticised the BJP’s messaging in Assam, remarking that “the BJP is promoting an Assam video like an April Fool’s joke,” and claimed that the public has already recognised it as such. He expressed confidence that this perception would work in favour of Congress candidates.

 

Turning to governance in Assam, he took aim at Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, saying, “He only makes big talks but doesn’t come to the practical field.” Referring to healthcare, Akoijam pointed to a shortage of doctors while highlighting promises of large hospital projects, alleging that such claims are misleading the public.