In a visit that sparked a heated exchange between political parties, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi’s trip to strife-torn Manipur became a point of contention between the Congress and the BJP on Thursday. The Congress accused the Modi Government of obstructing Rahul’s attempt to reach out to the victims of violence and offer solace, while the BJP criticised Rahul’s behaviour as “irresponsible,” claiming that it had triggered fresh unrest in the State. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the local police, acting on the orders of the Modi Government, halted Rahul Gandhi’s convoy near Bishnupur. He called it “totally unacceptable and a violation of constitutional and democratic norms.Gandhi’s convoy in Manipur has been halted by the police near Bishnupur. He intended to visit the people suffering in relief camps and extend a healing touch to the strife-torn state. PM Modi has remained silent on the situation in Manipur, leaving the state to fend for itself,” Kharge said. Responding to the incident, BJP national spokesperson and Manipur in-charge Sambit Patra criticized Rahul Gandhi’s visit.
