Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: Former Chief Minister and Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Okram Ibobi Singh launched a scathing attack on the Modi-led administration, accusing the BJP government of attempting to buy votes by selectively distributing funds to women in poll-bound states.
Speaking at a function in Imphal on Thursday, Ibobi was commenting on the government’s announcement to provide Rs 10,000 to women.
Ibobi pointed out that the financial aid comes from the public exchequer rather than the personal pockets of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He argued that genuine women’s empowerment requires comprehensive, properly structured policies rather than arbitrary handouts. If covering all women is currently unfeasible, he suggested distributing the benefits category-wise.
Shifting focus to federalism and state autonomy, the veteran Congress leader categorically stated that the Centre has no constitutional authority to interfere unduly in the affairs of any state.
Referring to the vulnerability of state administrations, he asserted, “The Centre may pull down a government, replace a Chief Minister, but we may rather die than live and govern the state at their mercy and diktat.”
Reflecting on regional history, Ibobi noted that Manipur existed as an independent nation for millennia before merging with India in 1949.
He expressed deep frustration that New Delhi continually ignores the voice of the people of Manipur, perhaps dismissing the state’s concerns because of its smaller size.
Addressing the public, Ibobi urged citizens to reflect on the state of democracy and the Indian Constitution in the current political climate.
He warned that the centralisation of power by the ruling party could signal the emergence of autocratic rule in the country and appealed to the people to exercise their constitutional rights and teach the party a befitting lesson.