Ex-Manipur CM in embezzlement case, Cong terms it BJP's 'desperate bid'

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned Okram Ibobi Singh for questioning on Wednesday in connection with its probe into alleged misappropriation of funds between 2009 and 2017 when he was the Manipur chief minister. Following this, Congress MP, Gaurav Gogoi slammed the state government and alleged that the summon a “desperate bid” to save the state’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

New Delhi: After the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioned Congress leader and former Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh for nearly three hours on Wednesday in connection with alleged misappropriation of Rs 332 crore development funds for the state, Congress hit out at the state government and termed the case as "politically motivated" one.

"Surely, this is politically motivated to threaten and intimidate. There is nothing to hide, we'll cooperate fully and at the same time we will continue to expose how massively unpopular is the Biren Singh's government and how likely it is to fall soon," said Congress MP, Gaurav Gogoi, during a press conference on Wednesday.

He further alleged, "Former CM Ibobi Singh's government lasted till 2017. But the CBI reached to his house just after a few days when he met the Governor asking for a special session to stake claim over the Government in Manipur." The CBI's action comes amidst the political uncertainty in the state after nine MLAs resigned, including 4 ministers of NPP and three from BJP itself, leaving the BJP-led coalition government into trouble.

The CBI's action comes amidst the political uncertainty in the state after nine MLAs resigned, including 4 ministers of NPP and three from BJP itself, leaving the BJP-led coalition government into trouble.

Gogoi stated, "Biswa Sarma visited Manipur two days ago, in order to persuade the NPP MLAs to rejoin the NDA coalition. The fact that he fails the first time is evident because he visited again and is now trying to bring the MLAs to Delhi. This point towards a severe lack of faith in the Government both by NPP and many within the BJP gap itself."

Soon after the resignations took place, the newly-formed Congress-led Secular Progressive (SPF) submitted an application to Governor requesting her to convene a special assembly session while claiming that the government has lost the majority in the house and demanding a trust vote.

Gaurav Gogoi, who along with Ajay Maken was being appointed as an observer to the Manipur political crisis, is being constantly advising the state Congress unit.

"There are severe fractions and tremors within the state government and I don't think that it would last long. I think there would further bigger tremors that you would see in the days to come. They are clearly in a state of panic and their reaction is to threaten and intimidate and that is why they tried to put false CBI case on the former CM," said the Congress MP.