Priyanka Gandhi, Kharge Slam Modi’s Delayed Manipur Visit Before Tour

On September 13, 2025, Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge launched a sharp critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Manipur, marking his first trip to the strife-torn state since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023. The Congress leaders described Modi’s visit, part of a three-day tour across five states, as belated and inadequate, accusing him of neglecting Manipur’s suffering for over two years. Priyanka Gandhi, speaking from Wayanad, Kerala, emphasized that such delays were not in line with the tradition of Indian Prime Ministers, while Kharge labeled the brief three-hour visit a “farce” and “tokenism.” The remarks come as Modi prepares to inaugurate and lay the foundation for development projects worth over ₹8,500 crore in Manipur, amidst ongoing ethnic tensions.

Priyanka Gandhi’s Critique of Modi’s Delay

Addressing reporters in Wayanad, Kerala, on September 13, 2025, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed relief that Prime Minister Modi had finally decided to visit Manipur but criticized the two-year gap since the ethnic violence began. “I am glad that he has decided after two years that it’s worth his visiting. He should have visited much long before,” she said. The Congress general secretary described the delay as “very unfortunate,” arguing that Modi had allowed violence to persist, resulting in significant loss of life and suffering. She highlighted that visiting areas of distress has been a long-standing tradition among Indian Prime Ministers, regardless of their political affiliation, since the country’s independence.

Priyanka Gandhi emphasized that Modi’s absence from Manipur during the crisis was a departure from this tradition. “He has allowed what is happening there to happen for so long, so many people to get killed and so many people to go through so much strife before he has decided to visit,” she stated. Her remarks reflect the Congress party’s broader narrative that the BJP-led central government has failed to address the ongoing ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which has claimed approximately 300 lives and displaced over 67,000 people since May 2023.

Mallikarjun Kharge’s Scathing Attack

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge echoed Priyanka Gandhi’s sentiments, delivering a blistering critique of Modi’s three-hour visit to Manipur. In a post on X on September 13, 2025, Kharge called the visit a “farce, tokenism, and a grave insult to a wounded people.” He criticized the planned roadshow in Imphal and Churachandpur, labeling it a “cowardly escape” from engaging with the plight of those in relief camps. Kharge’s remarks underscore the Congress party’s frustration with what they perceive as the central government’s superficial response to the crisis.

Kharge further highlighted the scale of the violence, noting that over 864 days, approximately 300 lives have been lost, 67,000 people displaced, and 1,500 injured. He accused Modi of prioritizing international travel, with 46 foreign trips since the violence began, over addressing the crisis in Manipur. “Your last visit to Manipur? January 2022—for elections! Your ‘Double Engine’ has bulldozed the innocent lives of Manipur,” Kharge stated, referring to the BJP’s slogan of coordinated governance between the central and state governments. He also criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging “gross incompetence and complicity” in failing to restore peace.

Modi’s Manipur Visit and Development Projects

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Manipur on September 13, 2025, is part of a broader three-day tour covering Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar. In Manipur, Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for projects worth over ₹7,300 crore in Churachandpur at 12:30 PM. These include the Manipur Urban Roads, drainage, and asset management project valued at ₹3,600 crore, five national highway projects worth more than ₹2,500 crore, the Manipur Infotech Development (MIND) project, and working women’s hostels at nine locations. Later in the day, he will inaugurate development projects worth over ₹1,200 crore in Imphal and address a public gathering.

The projects aim to boost infrastructure and connectivity in Manipur, a state grappling with economic challenges exacerbated by the ongoing violence. However, critics argue that these initiatives do little to address the immediate needs of those affected by the ethnic conflict, such as rehabilitation for displaced communities and security for vulnerable populations. The roadshow, planned in areas like Churachandpur, a hotspot of ethnic tensions, has drawn particular ire from opposition leaders who believe Modi should prioritize direct engagement with affected communities.

Manipur’s Ethnic Violence: A Background

The ethnic violence in Manipur, which began on May 3, 2023, stems from tensions between the majority Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo tribal groups, primarily over land rights and affirmative action policies. The conflict was triggered by a Manipur High Court order recommending Scheduled Tribe status for the Meiteis, which the Kuki-Zo community opposed, fearing it would encroach on their rights. The violence has resulted in widespread destruction, with entire villages burned, schools closed, and thousands displaced to relief camps. The imposition of President’s Rule in November 2024, following months of unrest, centralized law and order under the Union government, but sporadic clashes continue to challenge peace efforts.

The crisis has drawn national and international attention, with human rights organizations documenting allegations of extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, and inadequate government response. The Congress party has repeatedly accused the BJP-led central and state governments of failing to mediate between the communities, allowing the situation to deteriorate. Priyanka Gandhi and Kharge’s remarks reflect this sentiment, positioning the opposition as a voice for Manipur’s marginalized and displaced populations.

Political Reactions and Context

The Congress party’s sharp criticism of Modi’s visit comes amid a broader political strategy to highlight the BJP’s alleged failures in Manipur. Priyanka Gandhi, who has been vocal about the plight of Manipur’s women and children, has previously visited relief camps in the state, engaging directly with displaced families. Her comments in Wayanad, a constituency she represents in Parliament, underscore her commitment to raising awareness about the crisis. Similarly, Kharge’s post on X, which garnered significant traction with hashtags like #ManipurCrisis and #ModiInManipur, reflects the opposition’s efforts to pressure the government ahead of the 2026 elections in several states.

The BJP, in response, has defended Modi’s visit, arguing that the development projects signal the government’s commitment to Manipur’s long-term growth. Party spokespersons have emphasized that the central government has allocated significant funds for relief and rehabilitation, including ₹500 crore for relief camps and ₹1,000 crore for infrastructure restoration. However, critics, including Congress leaders, argue that these measures are insufficient without a comprehensive peace process involving all stakeholders.

The Broader Implications of Modi’s Visit

Modi’s visit to Manipur is his first since January 2022, when he campaigned for the state assembly elections. The timing of the visit, just months before the 2026 elections in several states, has fueled speculation about its political motives. The Congress party’s accusations of “tokenism” reflect concerns that the visit is more about optics than substantive engagement with Manipur’s challenges. The roadshow in Churachandpur, a Kuki-Zo-dominated area, and Imphal, a Meitei stronghold, is seen as an attempt to project unity, but opposition leaders argue it risks escalating tensions without addressing underlying grievances.

The ongoing violence has also strained India’s northeastern security framework, with Manipur’s proximity to Myanmar raising concerns about cross-border arms smuggling. Kharge’s reference to the central government’s responsibility for national security and border patrol highlights these challenges, accusing the BJP of failing to secure the region. As Modi embarks on his tour, the spotlight remains on whether his visit will pave the way for meaningful dialogue or be perceived as a superficial gesture in a state yearning for peace.