Emphasising the non-political nature of the “Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra”, the Congress party on Friday called upon the Manipur government to leverage it as a means for restoring peace in the violence-stricken state.
During a press conference held at Congress Bhawan in Imphal on Friday, AICC Manipur in-charge Girish Chodankar reiterated that the yatra transcends party lines, and served as a walk for peace and justice for all citizens of India.
Expressing disappointment in the alleged attempts by the state government to hinder the yatra through delay tactics and confusion regarding ground clearance, he suggested that the government’s nervousness stems from the perceived threat of Rahul Gandhi, known for his stance against injustices.
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Highlighting the importance of prioritising the state over party politics, Chodankar remarked, “The yatra is what people need. CM Biren should not obstruct peace by entangling with BJP politics.”
Drawing a distinction between the BJP and Congress, he stated that while the BJP prioritises politics, the Congress is committed to restoring peace and serving justice.
CLP leader O Ibobi also went on to attack the state government over the conditional permission given for the yatra at Hapta Kangjeibung ground.
According to the Congress party, the CM denied the permission for the yatra at the first instant, later issued an order permitting only the flagging off ceremony with a limited number of participants, followed by issuing another order of increasing the numbers of participants to 1,000 and later to 3,000.
Stating that the denial of the permission by the CM at the first instant was made known on Wednesday after keeping the permission reply pending for over one week, Ibobi said such nature of the government seems more of an intention to make the arrangement of the yatra unsuccessful.
Recalling the repeated statement of CM Biren who claimed of improvement in law and order and the omission of law and order situation in regard to any meeting or gatherings of the BJP, Ibobi said that the present nature of the government has contradicted the statement of the chief minister.
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MPCC president K Meghanchandra had also confirmed that the yatra, which will be attended by at least 500 national leaders including MPs and CMs of other states, was scheduled at a private ground in Khongjom in Thoubal district after obtaining permission from the concerned district administration.
According to sources from the Congress, Rahul Gandhi along with his companions in the yatra after being flagged off by the AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge from Khongjom, will be holding their first night at Sekmai in Imphal West. However, there will be no formal programme at Sekmai as it falls under the vulnerable zone, amidst the ongoing unrest in Manipur.
