Cong against possible extension of President’s Rule in Manipur

Imphal: AICC Manipur in-charge Saptagiri Ulaka on Sunday criticised BJP and centre govt over reports of a possible extension of President’s Rule in Manipur, despite the party holding an absolute majority in the assembly.

“Our position is clear — we do not support the extension of President’s Rule. The assembly should be dissolved and fresh elections held immediately so that a democratically elected government can address the crisis in the state,” Ulaka told reporters upon his arrival in Imphal.

Ulaka’s visit is linked to Congress working committee’s decision to launch a 45-day nationwide agitation against the replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the VB-G RAM G Act.

He alleged the new legislation undermines the right to work guaranteed under MGNREGA by converting it into a centrally sponsored scheme with a “switch-off clause”. “This allows the Centre to discontinue the scheme at will, particularly in states where it does not have a government. This is a grave injustice, and the Congress will fight this from the streets to Parliament,” he said.

Ulaka added that he will hold consultative meetings, press interactions, and outreach programmes with senior leaders in preparation for the agitation and the possible 2027 Manipur assembly elections.

He further accused the BJP and its affiliates of opposing Gandhian values, alleging attempts to distort history and undermine the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.

On the upcoming Assam assembly elections, Ulaka expressed confidence that Congress is well-prepared and will secure victory.

Meanwhile, Manipur Congress president Keisham Meghachandra voiced strong displeasure over the absence of elected representatives from Manipur in a meeting chaired by Union home minister Amit Shah on the state’s situation.

Noting that only the governor, chief secretary, and DGP attended, Meghachandra said the development undermined democracy and underestimated the people of Manipur. “This is like a dictatorship. We do not want Manipur to be directly controlled by people sitting in Delhi,” he said.