Amidst the fervour of election season in Manipur, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has sparked controversy by shifting blame onto the opposition Congress regarding the dissemination of a viral video depicting the horrific incident of two Kuki women being paraded naked by a mob in 2023.
Singh, who also holds the position of Home Minister, accused the Congress of orchestrating the video's circulation to tarnish Prime Minister Narendra Modi's image.
Addressing a gathering in Imphal on April 7, Singh emphasized that the video was strategically circulated just before the parliamentary session last June, aiming to insult Modi and his government. He highlighted the efforts made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to address the situation promptly, dismissing claims that the BJP administration was negligent.
Singh's attempt to downplay the severity of the incident by focusing on the rescue of the victims and attributing it to the Meitei community's efforts has drawn criticism. Furthermore, his call for a campaign focused on issues rather than public discontent in the valley districts underscores the political sensitivity surrounding the ongoing Manipur crisis.
With the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat approaching elections, Singh's manoeuvre to deflect attention from Modi's perceived indifference towards Manipur's issues is evident.
The BJP, facing discontent among voters in the constituency, had to replace its candidate due to his silence on Manipur in Parliament, further illustrating the deep-rooted impact of the crisis on electoral dynamics. The BJP government's handling of the Manipur crisis, coupled with the opposition's attempts to capitalize on public dissatisfaction, has set the stage for a fiercely contested election.