The Congress in Manipur has sought the removal of Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Pratima Bhowmick for allegedly inciting clashes among the workers of the Youth Congress and the BJP Yuva Morcha on January 6 in Imphal.
Congress general secretary and party in charge for Manipur Bhakta Charan Das, State Congress president N. Loken blamed Bhowmik for the clash.
Members of BJP youth wing-BJYM had burned the effigies of Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in front of the party office which had reportedly led to the clashes.
The Youth Congress members charged that police pickets which had become permanent features were deserted and the personnel came back much later. Besides they remained mute spectators, it was alleged.
Police denied it, saying that they separated the two groups.
BJYM president Barish Sharma said that they burnt the effigies in protest against the security lapses during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab.
However, H. Goswami of the Congress said that the BJP members kicked the locked gate of the Congress office and shouted slogans.
The Congress filed a complaint with the Imphal police station against the BJP members for allegedly involving in mob violence.
“It is very unconstitutional on the part of the Union Minister to have set the effigies on fire like this. The Prime Minister should take action against her,” Das said.
Loken said that the BJP leaders are indulging in such objectionable activities since it is clear that the party cannot come to power after the March poll.