Congress reminds Modi of Raj Dharma on Manipur

· Reiterates stand on discussion under Rule 267

· Appeals to President to use Constitutional powers dismiss Manipur CM

. Blames Modi govt for parliamentary disruption

NEW DELHI, July 21: The Congress today reminded the Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his Raj Dharma over continued violence in Manipur and the brutal rape of two women, one of whom was an army soldier’s wife.

The party said, its only hope was now left with the President Ms Draupadi Murmu, who had reached that position after a long struggle and who can use her constitutional powers in the matter and dismiss the government there which is sad not because of what happened, but because the video of the incident became viral.

The party also reiterated its stand that the entire opposition wants discussion on the brutal incident in Rajya Sabha under Rule 267 and not under Rule 176, which the government has offered.

The party demanded that PM Modi immediately make a detailed elaborate statement on Manipur in the Parliament. “It should be based on the entire cycle of violence in 80 days. BJP should not run away from debate”, the party asked, while adding, “PM Modi should sack the Manipur CM immediately. All his torn-resignation letter drama has already created a crisis of confidence in the state”.

Invoking Article 356 of the Constitution, party demanded that the PM Modi, through his government should invoke Article 356 and impose President’s Rule in the state, so that issues between the communities can be resolved by starting a peace process through a team of neutral people.

The party blamed the ruling Modi government for disrupting the parliament by not allowing discussion on Manipur under rule 267 and running away from debate.

Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here today, Congress Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari and the Chairman Media and Publicity Department of the AICC Pawan Khera urged the Prime Minister to take a few steps further over the parliament stairs and make the statement inside the parliament as under Article 75 of the Constitution of India he is answerable to both the houses of the parliament.

Asserting that the entire INDIA opposition wanted discussion under rule 267 and not under rule 176, Mr Tewari said, the gravity of the situation in Manipur calls for a threadbare debate, which is not possible otherwise.

Spelling out the difference between Rule 267 and Rule 176 of parliamentary procedures, the Congress RS Deputy Leader said, under rule 267, if the notice is accepted, the entire business is suspended instantly and the issue is taken up. There is no time limit set for discussion under this rule, he said, adding, with the entire opposition as also the ruling party likely to speak on the issue, there cannot be any time limit for the discussion.

He clarified that under rule 176, as the government wants discussion under this rule, there is a maximum 2.5 hours allocated and that too without any specified time as and when the discussion will be held. He pointed out, given the seriousness and enormity of the gravity of the situation in Manipur where two women were paraded naked and gang gaped discussion can be held under rule 267 only.

Congress leader Pawan Khera told the Prime Minister that Atal Behari Vajpayee had in 2002 reminded him about his Raj Dharma as the Gujarat Chief Minister. He said, he (the PM) needed to be reminded about his Raj Dharma again when Manipur is burning.

He said, one video, which even melted the troll army of the BJP, forced the PM to speak. He said, even after he spoke he mentioned Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh thus hinting his troll army to take cue which it (the troll army) obediently did. He wondered what sort of Prime Minister Mr Modi was if he did not know about such an incident and if he knew and did not act, again what sort of PM was he?

At the same time, he clarified categorically that the Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh were not shameless and if and when any incident takes place, arrests are made within hours. He also quoted the records of crime against women, which was highest in the BJP ruled states.

He said, similarly the Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh, who has himself admitted that there were hundreds of such incidents, also needs to be reminded of his Raj Dharma. He said, the National Commission for Women Chairperson, Ms Rekha Sharma also needed to be reminded of her Raj Dharma. He pointed out, she always targets opposition leaders, but has remained quiet even after two complaints were submitted to her about Manipur.

Mr Khera said, if anybody was following the Raj Dharma it was Rahul Gandhi who went to Manipur. He told the Prime Minister if he can go for asking votes, why can’t he go and appeal for peace. “Or you don’t have the confidence that you have any moral authority left”, he asked the Prime Minister.

The senior Congress leader said, the way one video had shaken and melted the BJP and its troll army, he was waiting for the day when the media will show mirror to the Prime Minister and the BJP in the same way.

Mr Khera also questioned the silence of the Manipur Governor Ms Anusuiya Uikey, who is also the chairperson of the Peace Committee in Manipur till now. He said the Governor belatedly ‘pulled up’ the DGP of Manipur after the ghastly video was out yesterday.