Opposition Pushes For Manipur Chief Minister's Resignation Over Violence

Opposition MPs on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh over the violence in the state as Lok Sabha took up a discussion on the no-confidence motion against the government.

The Opposition MPs claimed that the government has failed on several other issues too like inflation, maintaining communal harmony and safeguarding the independence of institutions.

Trinamool MP Saugata Roy charged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is destroying federalism in the country. "West Bengal is a victim because (Home Minister) Amit Shah went and said 'agli baar 200 par' (we will get 200 sets in West Bengal in the polls) but they did not even get 80 seats so they have stopped all money for MNREGA which amounts to Rs 7300 crore and PM Awas Yojna which comes to Rs 8400 crore," he said.

He claimed that this government is of the "heartless".

"They are sending delegations to West Bengal on any plea but not one delegation has gone to Manipur where our brothers and sisters are dying. You have no compassion, that is why you have not gone to Manipur," Mr Roy said.

He said the Manipur government led by Singh has failed.

"I demand the present government should be immediately dismissed and president's rule imposed in the state," he said.

NCP MP Supriya Sule also demanded the resignation of Singh.

"What happened in Manipur is shameful. I demand the chief minister should resign immediately. Can you allow this to happen and shame the women of this country? Ask your conscience how you can support this government. How can you allow this?" she said.

Referring to a PIL filed in a NIA court, Ms Sule alleged that it was claimed that United Kuki Liberation Front helped some BJP candidates win in the 2017 assembly polls.

Mr Roy also raised the issue of PM Modi's foreign tours, saying he travelled to seven countries when Manipur was burning. "What was the prime minister doing from May to July when Manipur was burning? He visited seven countries and he was very proud that Joe and Jill Biden gave a private dinner at the White House. Is our prime minister roving ambassador or a travelling salesman," he asked.

"Now the prime minister has to reply why was he visiting foreign countries when Manipur is burning," he added.

Congress's Gaurav Gogoi, who initiated the debate, also wondered why the Manipur chief minister has not been replaced so far. He said while chief ministers of BJP-ruled Gujarat and Tripura were changed, no such thing has happened in Manipur.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)