Former CM and the CLP leader Okram Ibobi today strongly condemned the Governor of Manipur for convening a meeting exclusively with BJP MLAs ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on September 13, calling it a blatant lowering of the sanctity of Raj Bhavan. Leader of the Opposition Okram Ibobi said the selective invitation undermines democratic norms and sidelined the voices of elected representatives of the people.
Speaking at his official residence, Ibobi said the meeting was a “shocking display of partisanship” and demanded that all MLAs be included in discussions concerning the ongoing crisis, regardless of party affiliation. “If the meeting was meant to address the violence, excluding opposition MLAs is an affront to the people of Manipur. Raj Bhavan must remain above politics,” he said.
Ibobi also sharply criticised the handling of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement, signed in August 2008 under the Congress government which was extended after lapsed of almost a year. He alleged that successive BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state ignored repeated violations of the agreement’s strict ground rules. “Instead of referring issues to the monitoring committee, the former state government passed resolutions for abrogation of SoO for two militants. The Centre did not act, leaving local communities vulnerable while militants operated freely,” he said.
Highlighting the Prime Minister’s visit, Ibobi said it appeared “more of a tour than a mission,” prioritising Mizoram and Assam over Manipur. He warned that a brief 2–3 hour visit without concrete assurances or a roadmap to end the violence would signal neglect and disregard for the state’s plight.
“The PM seems to believe he can pacify Manipur with a cursory visit, but the people cannot tolerate gestures without action,” Ibobi added. He stressed that the Congress party welcomes VVIP visits but emphasised that they must come with meaningful engagement and solutions.
The press conference was attended by AICC CWC member Gaikhangam, MLAs Lokeshwar and Surjakumar, former MLA Loken, and other senior Congress leaders.
Ibobi asserted that both the Governor’s selective meeting and the Centre’s failure to uphold the SoO agreement have deepened distrust in Manipur. “Ignoring elected representatives and failing to enforce agreements that protect our citizens undermines the credibility of both Raj Bhavan and the Central government,” he said.