The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), led by its president and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, observed a “Black Day” at Congress Bhawan in Imphal, condemning the alleged manhandling and detention of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during a protest in New Delhi.
Held under the slogans “Save Democracy, Save Constitution, Save Manipur”, the demonstration was organised in response to a directive from the All India Congress Committee (AICC), with senior Congress leaders and party workers participating in the protest.
Addressing reporters at Congress Bhawan, Ibobi Singh accused the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state of misusing constitutional institutions to retain political power. He particularly questioned the functioning of the Election Commission of India amid opposition concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Ibobi Singh described the day as a “Black Day for democracy”, strongly condemning the action taken against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition leaders during their demonstration in the national capital on October 7.
He alleged that central security personnel had used force against the Congress leaders during what he described as a peaceful protest, calling the incident an attack on democratic rights and freedom of expression.
The MPCC president said the party would continue its agitation until accountability was ensured, adding that the Congress would work with the INDIA bloc and other groups committed to safeguarding democracy.
Responding to questions on whether the party would demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Ibobi Singh said the agitation would continue until the demand was addressed. He expressed confidence that the Congress, INDIA bloc and other organisations seeking what he described as genuine democracy would sustain their protests.
The MPCC has also been campaigning against the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the electoral system. On September 25, the party organised a state-level protest march towards the Chief Electoral Officer’s office at Lamphelpat, demanding Kumar’s removal and arrest. The demonstration turned confrontational after security personnel used tear gas to disperse protesters.
The latest protest reflects the Congress party’s broader opposition to the BJP-led governments’ handling of electoral processes and its allegations of the misuse of constitutional institutions. The allegations raised by the Congress remain the party’s position.