Former Chief Minister and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Okram Ibobi Singh on Sunday strongly condemned the Governor of Manipur for convening a meeting exclusively with BJP MLAs ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to the state on September 13.
Ibobi termed the move a blatant lowering of the sanctity of Raj Bhavan, accusing the Governor of sidelining the voices of elected representatives of the people. “The selective invitation undermines democratic norms. If the meeting was meant to address the violence, excluding opposition MLAs is an affront to the people of Manipur. Raj Bhavan must remain above politics,” he told reporters at his official residence.
The Opposition leader further criticised the handling of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement, originally signed under the Congress government in 2008 and extended after nearly a year’s lapse. He alleged that successive BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state ignored repeated violations of the ground rules. “Instead of acting on resolutions passed for abrogation of SoO for two militant groups, the Centre allowed them to operate freely, leaving local communities vulnerable,” Ibobi said.
On the Prime Minister’s impending visit, he cautioned that a mere two-to-three-hour stay without concrete assurances or a roadmap to end the ongoing crisis would amount to neglect. “The PM seems to believe he can pacify Manipur with a cursory visit, but the people cannot tolerate gestures without action. Manipur deserves meaningful engagement, not symbolic appearances,” he said.
The press conference was also attended by AICC CWC member Gaikhangam, MLAs Lokeshwar and Surjakumar, former MLA Loken, and other senior Congress leaders.
Ibobi concluded by asserting that both the Governor’s selective meeting and the Centre’s failure to uphold the SoO agreement have deepened distrust in Manipur. “Ignoring elected representatives and failing to enforce agreements that protect citizens undermines the credibility of both Raj Bhavan and the Central government,” he warned.
