Shiv Sena Party (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Raut, responded to the BJP’s criticism of the Opposition bloc INDIA’s two-day visit to Manipur, defending the visit as a necessary act of sharing the pain of the country’s citizens rather than a mere “show-off” or “political tourism.” Raut emphasized that if the Prime Minister has not visited the strife-torn state or made any statements about the ongoing ethnic clashes, it becomes the duty of the Opposition to go there and understand the situation.
Regarding the 21-member multi-party delegation’s visit to Manipur, Raut asserted that they had engaged with the people of the state and comprehended their pain. He condemned the BJP’s characterization of their visit as cruel politics and stated that understanding and empathizing with the citizens’ suffering should not be misconstrued as showmanship.
In response to the BJP National General Secretary, Tarun Chugh’s remarks that the Opposition was staging a drama, Raut reiterated that the purpose of their visit was to help heal the wounds of the people in Manipur and to address the prevailing situation in the state.
During their visit, the Opposition delegation met with Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey, handing over a memorandum and discussing the situation in the state. Ahead of the meeting, Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev expressed concern about the grave situation in Manipur and stated that they intended to urge the Governor to take measures for restoring peace and to brief Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on the prevailing conditions.
At a press briefing after visiting relief shelters housing locals displaced by the violence, the delegation members reiterated their aim of facilitating “psychological healing” for the people during their two-day visit. They also expressed their willingness to hold discussions with the Central Government and offer suggestions and advice to restore peace in Manipur.
The Opposition leaders criticized the BJP-led Centre for not sending a similar delegation to the strife-torn state and expressed their readiness to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi if he visits the state with an all-party delegation.
In response, the BJP stated that the Centre was prepared to discuss the situation in Manipur in Parliament, but the Opposition was avoiding such discussions. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, accompanied by fellow delegation members, reiterated their willingness to participate in an all-party delegation led by the Prime Minister to facilitate the return of peace to Manipur.
