New Delhi: The Congress party on Sunday described the resignation of N Biren Singh from the post of Manipur Chief Minister as "belated," and added that the people of the state were now eagerly awaiting a visit from "our frequent-flier Prime Minister" Narendra Modi. The opposition's remarks came shortly after Singh submitted his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal.

Jairam Ramesh, AICC general secretary in charge of communications, stated that the Congress party was prepared to move a no-confidence motion against Singh and his council of ministers in the Manipur Assembly on Monday.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ramesh said, “Sensing the climate, the Manipur Chief Minister has just resigned. This was a demand that the Congress has been making since early May 2023, when Manipur erupted.”

Congress criticises PM Modi's absence

Ramesh further criticised the Prime Minister’s lack of attention to the situation in Manipur, stating, “The Chief Minister's resignation was belated. The people of Manipur now await a visit by our frequent-flier prime minister who is off to France and the US now — and who has found neither the time nor the inclination to go to Manipur these past 20 months.” 

Singh’s Resignation 

Singh's resignation came just hours after his return from Delhi. In his resignation letter to the Governor, Singh wrote, "It has been an honour to serve the people of Manipur thus far. I am extremely grateful to the central government for time actions, interventions, developmental work and implementation of various projects for safeguarding the interests of every single Manipuri."

He further requested the central government to continue with these efforts, stating, “My sincere request to the central government through your good office is to continue with the same. I take the opportunity to enumerate the most important ones of them … To maintain the territorial integrity of Manipur which has a rich and diverse civilisational history over thousands of years.”

Singh also appealed to the Centre for ongoing action in key areas. He wrote, “I also request the Centre to continue the crackdown on border infiltration and to formulate policy for the deportation of the illegal immigrants and the fight against drugs and narco terrorism.”

BJP meeting amidst political uncertainty

On Saturday, Singh convened a meeting with BJP-led ruling alliance MLAs at the Secretariat, following calls from the opposition Congress for a no-confidence motion against the government. This political uncertainty has come in the wake of ongoing ethnic violence in the state.

Ongoing crisis in Manipur

Since May 2023, ethnic violence has resulted in the deaths of more than 250 people and left thousands displaced in Manipur.

PTI