Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President K. Meghachandra on Thursday strongly criticised the NDA-led Central government for extending President’s Rule in Manipur for another six months, calling it a serious blow to democratic values and the federal spirit of the Constitution.

Speaking to reporters at a free medical camp held at the Lamboi Khongnangkhong Club in Uripok Assembly Constituency, Meghachandra said the extension bypasses the will of the people and reflects a political failure by the ruling BJP.

He blamed BJP legislators in the state for the leadership vacuum that necessitated the extension. “President’s Rule has been imposed and extended because the BJP, despite having the numbers, failed to elect a capable leader to steer the government,” he said.

Meghachandra warned that continuing President’s Rule under the pretext of law-and-order failure sets a dangerous precedent. “It undermines democratic institutions and erodes constitutional governance,” he said.

He also slammed both the NDA government at the Centre and the former BJP-led state government for their failure to draft a concrete roadmap for peace and reconciliation amid the ongoing crisis. According to him, no serious efforts were made to address the root causes of the turmoil.

The Congress leader further criticised the BJP and its allies for not convening an all-party meeting despite the crisis dragging on for over a year. He accused the ruling party of deliberately avoiding consultation with opposition leaders.

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Meghachandra said, “The Prime Minister has remained silent on the Manipur crisis for more than two years. His continued silence is deeply disappointing and reflects the BJP’s intent to allow President’s Rule to linger.”

He asserted that the state’s current political and administrative paralysis is a direct consequence of BJP’s failure at both state and central levels.