Mallikarjun Kharge hits out at Amit Shah’s letter on Manipur discussion in Parliament: ‘Difference between words and action’

Both Houses of the Parliament have seen a logjam since commencement of the Monsoon Session on July 20, as Opposition parties have been demanding a discussion on the situation in Manipur.

By: Express Web Desk

Mumbai | Updated: July 26, 2023 01:52 PM IST

3 min read

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge speaks in the House during the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi. (PTI)

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Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge Wednesday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah saying the latter’s letter to some Opposition leaders on the Manipur issue showed the difference between the government’s ‘kathni’ (words) and ‘karni’ (actions).

The Congress chief reiterated the Opposition’s demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on the ongoing turmoil in Manipur and a discussion in the House on the same.

Kharge’s response comes a day after Shah said in Lok Sabha that he had written letters to leaders of Opposition of both Houses, conveying that the government was ready for a discussion on the Manipur issue.

Sharing a copy of his response on Twitter, Kharge wrote, “In a single day, the respected Prime Minister connects the Opposition parties of the country with the British rulers and the terrorist group and on the same day the Home Minister writes an emotional letter and expects a positive attitude from the Opposition. The lack of coordination between the ruling party and the Opposition was visible for years, now this gulf has started appearing even within the ruling party.”

“It is not only absurd but also unfortunate for the Prime Minister to call the Opposition parties directionless on this. We have been urging the Prime Minister to come to the House and give a statement on Manipur, but it seems that doing so is hurting his honour. We have a commitment to the people of this country and will pay any cost for it,” he added.

On Tuesday evening, Shah had taken to Twitter to share a copy of the letter he wrote to Kharge and Congress leader of the House in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Choudhary.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha earlier in the day, he had said that the Opposition should prepare “the right environment in the House to discuss a topic as sensitive as Manipur.”

“I have written letters to leaders of Opposition in both the Houses that I am ready for any long discussion. Government is not scared of anything. Anyone who wants to discuss Manipur must come forward. We have nothing to hide,” he said in the House.

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Since the beginning of the Monsoon Session last week, both Houses of the Parliament had been rocked by dissent over the law and order situation in Manipur, triggered by a recently-released two-month-old video that showed two women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted in the northeastern state.

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