E-Paper
What solution Rahul Gandhi to bring in Manipur: Himanta Biswa Sarma's jibe at ‘one-day media drama’
Himanta Biswa Sarma who is also the convener of the North-East Democratic Alliance visited Manipur in early June. No politician should take advantage, he said.
Rahul Gandhi's visit to Manipur will not bring any solution to the tense situation of the state and is only a one-day media hype, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said as Rahul Gandhi was stopped from visiting Churachandpur by road and he had to take a helicopter. Police said there was a fear of violence while the Congress refuted the threat perception and blamed BJP's 'dirty political game' behind the drama that unfolded in strife-torn Manipur on Thursday.
"Situation in Manipur demands bridging differences through compassion. It’s not in nation’s interest for a political leader to use his so called visit to exacerbate fault lines. Both the Communities of the State have clearly rejected such attempts," the Assam CM tweeted.
"Had the visit (Rahul Gandhi's) brought a positive effect in the situation which is being addressed by the state and the Centre, it would have been a different scenario. But it is just a one-day media coverage. No result is bound to come. We should not take political advantage of the situation," Sarma said.
Why Rahul Gandhi's convoy was stopped in Manipur
On Thursday, Rahul Gandhi reached Imphal and started for Churachandpur -- one of the worst-affected towns in the clash. Police said there was a possibility of a grenade attack along the highway. Rahul Gandhi then returned to the Imphal airport and took a state government-provided chopper to visit Churachandpur where he visited the relief camps. "I came to listen to all my brothers and sisters of Manipur. People of all communities are being very welcoming and loving. It's very unfortunate that the government is stopping me. Manipur needs healing. Peace has to be our only priority," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
What protest, asks Congress; BJP counters
As the video of a woman asking why Rahul Gandhi was not being allowed to visit Churachandpur while Union home minister Amit Shah was allowed surfaced, the Congress claimed that the people were very welcoming and it was the BJP that instructed the cops to stop Rahul Gandhi.
BJP's Amit Malviya said 'Rahul go back' slogans were raised in Manipur. "Congress claimed that people had queued up to welcome Rahul Gandhi and were wanting to ‘wave’ at him in Manipur. Wave black flags perhaps!" Malviya tweeted.
