Opposition betrayed people of Manipur, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi

PM Narendra Modi addressed the BJP's Kshetriya Panchayati Raj Parishad in West Bengal, via video conferencing.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Opposition INDIA bloc, saying they did not want a discussion on the issue in Manipur.

"We defeated the Opposition's No-Confidence Motion in the Parliament and gave a befitting reply to those spreading negativity in the entire nation. The members of the Opposition left Parliament mid-way. The truth is that they were scared of voting on the No-Confidence Motion," the Prime Minister said while virtually addressing Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) workers during the inauguration of the 'Kshetriya Panchyati Raj Parishad' at Kolaghat in West Bengal.

"They did not want voting to happen (on the No-Confidence Motion). It is very sad that these people betrayed the people of Manipur. Before the commencement of the (Monsoon) Session (of Parliament), Union Home Minister had written to political parties saying that he wanted to have an immediate discussion on Manipur. But these people (Opposition) did not want a discussion on Manipur," Prime Minister Modi said.

"They knew that the truth of Manipur would haunt them. They (Opposition) were not concerned about the plight of the people in Manipur. For them, their politics (was more important) and their party is bigger than the country," Prime Minister Modi said as he fired a fresh salvo at the Opposition.

"They did not (want a discussion) on Manipur, so they ignored it. And instead brought the No-Confidence Motion and gave priority to political discussion. They tried to score politically for three days" the Prime Minister added.

According to the PM, all the BJP workers and leaders must go to the citizens and tell them the truth. The PM also attacked the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee over the recent Panchayat Polls held in West Bengal saying the entire country has seen the "politics of murder" in the eastern state.

The PM also accused the TMC of rigging the Panchayat Polls in Bengal and said that the voters were being intimidated. BJP chief JP Nadda was physically present for the inauguration in Kolaghat.

According to the Prime Minister, when he addresses BJP workers, he gets a new energy. "I always try to be physically present among you, but due to time constraints, some programmes I have to address virtually," he quipped.