‘Highly inappropriate during this hour’: Manipur Congress leaders write to Kharge about Chidambaram’s Twitter post

Seek action against Congress leader, who had posted: ‘The Meitei, the Kuki-Zo and the Naga can live together in one State only if they have genuine regional autonomy’

Written by Sukrita Baruah

Guwahati | Updated: November 21, 2024 07:39 AM IST

3 min read

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. (File Photo)

After senior Congress leader P Chidambaram’s social media post in favour of regional autonomy for Manipur’s different ethnic communities within the state, Manipur Congress leaders have written to All India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge seeking action against him.

In a now deleted post on X, Chidambaram had stated that deploying 5000 more CAPF personnel “is not the answer”. He wrote that instead: “It is more wisdom: acknowledging that Mr Biren Singh, the chief minister, is the cause of the crisis and removing him immediately. It is more understanding: that the Meitei, the Kuki-Zo and the Naga can live together in one State only if they have genuine regional autonomy. It is more statesmanship: for the Hon’ble PM to give up his obstinacy, visit Manipur, and speak to the people of Manipur with humility and learn first-hand their grievances and aspirations.”

In a letter written to Kharge, 10 Manipur Congress leaders, including current MLAs, former ministers, and former Manipur Congress presidents, asked that Chidambaram be directed to delete the post, which aligns in part with Kuki-Zo groups’ demand for separate autonomy for their territories.

Also Read | Manipur crisis: Biren Singh breaks silence, says ‘hunt underway’ for ‘Kuki terrorists who killed six women, children’

In the letter, they stated that they had convened a meeting to discuss the matter.

“In the meeting, we unanimously condemned the content of Shri P Chidambaram’s recent post on X concerning the Manipur crisis. The post contains language and sentiments that are highly inappropriate during this hour of heightened tension, public grief, and public sensitivity in Manipur. Congress party always stands for the unity and territorial integrity of the state of Manipur. We request AICC for prompt appropriate action against Shri P Chidambaram for his post today and direct him to delete it immediately,” states the letter.

Also Read | A small Manipuri village had escaped the brunt of violence. A surprise attack there has now put the state on edge

Before Chidambaram deleted his post, Manipur Congress Chief K Meghachandra had commented under it: “Please delete it. Manipur is in turmoil situation. It is very sensitive.”

On Tuesday, Congress leader and former Manipur CM Okram Ibobu Singh had also distanced the state unit from Chidambaram’s statement and said these were his personal opinions.

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“This is purely his own view and immediately when we saw his tweet… we informed Mallikarjun Kharge ji and he immediately called all senior leaders. I also personally spoke to Kharge ji that this may be his (Chidambaram’s) personal view but there will be a lot of misunderstanding in the state of Manipur… Immediately Kharge ji spoke to him… immediately he deleted it… We have already informed AICC for appropriate action and I will speak to him not to create such a type of statement for Manipur,” he said.

Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh had also lashed out at Chidambaram, alleging that the seeds of the conflict were laid by Chidambaram by entering a Suspension of Operation agreement with the Zomi Revolutionary Army in 2008.

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