New Delhi, August 9: In a scathing critique of the BJP’s handling of the turmoil in Manipur, Rahul Gandhi, a prominent figure within the Congress party, asserted on Wednesday that the party’s politics had “betrayed Bharat Mata” in the northeastern state. During his participation in the no-confidence motion debate, he also labeled members of the ruling party as “traitors.”
In his address, Gandhi also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not making a visit to Manipur and suggested that the state is not being considered an integral part of India. He expressed, “I recently visited Manipur and met with women and children at relief camps, an effort that the Prime Minister has not undertaken. I enquired about their experiences, hearing harrowing stories of loss and despair.”
Sharing his experiences, he narrated, “One woman recounted how her only child was shot before her eyes. She spent the night beside his lifeless body before fleeing her home, carrying only the clothes on her back and a photograph. Another woman, when asked the same question, trembled and fainted.”
With forceful rhetoric, Gandhi accused the BJP of eroding the essence of Manipur. He stated, “In Manipur, they have not only damaged the state but also compromised the spirit of the nation. Their actions can be deemed nothing less than treacherous towards the country.”
As disagreements arose from the treasury benches, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded an apology from Gandhi, attributing insurgency and other issues in the northeast to the Congress party.
Gandhi’s criticism continued, with him pointing out the absence of deployed army forces to bring peace to Manipur. He remarked, “By snuffing out the voices of Manipur, they have extinguished the spirit of India—Bharat Mata. Their approach is akin to pouring kerosene and setting fire to the region.”
In his relentless attack against the government, he also drew attention to Prime Minister Modi’s limited circle of advisors, likening it to Ravan, the mythical demon king, who paid heed to only two individuals. The details of this comparison were not expanded upon.
The former Congress president conveyed gratitude to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for reinstating his parliamentary membership. Reflecting on his prior speech, he expressed remorse for causing discomfort by focusing on business tycoon Adani. He humorously added, “My BJP friends, you need not be apprehensive; today’s discourse won’t revolve around us.”
Gandhi delved into his recent cross-country journey, the “Bharat Jodo Yatra,” and how it helped him understand the essence of his beliefs and values. He concluded by acknowledging that the yatra is an ongoing quest for self-discovery.
The no-confidence motion, presented by the Congress on behalf of the opposition alliance INDIA, commenced with the debate initiated by Congress’ Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday. It is scheduled to conclude with the Prime Minister’s response on Thursday, with many Rajya Sabha members present in the gallery during Gandhi’s address.
