The Congress on Saturday accused the Narendra Modi government of “criminal” apathy towards Manipur and the Northeast in general, castigated the BJP for its divisive politics across the region, and asked party workers to strive to foster unity and restore peace.

The 10-week-old Manipur unrest and the Centre’s inaction, a subject the Congress has constantly highlighted, came up again on Saturday at a meeting called by party president Mallikarjun Kharge towards preparations for the 2024 parliamentary elections.

Party leaders from Manipur, Arunachal, Tripura, Meghalaya and Sikkim had been called to finalise the poll strategy, after similar meetings with their counterparts from Mizoram, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand.

“The inaction and silence of the Prime Minister and the BJP government on thesituation in Manipur is unexplainable, unforgivable and criminal,” a statement the party issued after the meeting said.

“The Government of India has abdicated its responsibility to the people of Manipur, in particular, and the whole of Northeast, in general.”

Rahul Gandhi, who missed the meeting because of fever, broached the topic in the context of the Prime Minister’s France visit, tweeting: “Manipur burns. European Union Parliament discusses India’s internal matter. The Prime Minister hasn’t said a word on either! Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade.”

While discussing Manipur over objections from New Delhi, members of the European Parliament had referred to the democratic backsliding in India and the attacks on minorities and human rights violations.

It brought a sharp rebuttal from the external affairs ministry but the Prime Minister, who was being feted in France at the time, chose to ignore the comments on what his government considers India’s internal affairs.

At the Congress meeting, Kharge said: “The ‘Act East’ policy of the Modi government has become the ‘Act Least’ policy for our northeastern states. India today is witnessing an onslaught of the BJP’s vicious politics of division and discord.

“Communities are being pitted against each other. Freedom of speech is under attack. Fundamental rights are being questioned. The solid foundation of peace, tranquillity and progress established by successive Congress governments is being systematically dismantled.

“Important, life-changing projects implemented by the Congress party in the Northeast are being appropriated by the BJP to seek fake credit. It’s time for every leader and worker of the Congress party to unite everyone."

Kharge said: “Unity in diversity is not only our hallmark but the basis of our existence. It is time to hit the ground running and start from the booth level. Reach out to people and strongly raise the voice of our fellow citizens in the Northeast.”

The party statement issued after the meeting said: “The Union government should take strong and all necessary steps with sincerity for maintaining peace and harmony in the state. We are also deeply concerned about the delimitation exercise being undertaken at such a time in Assam. Several political parties led by Congress have demanded a wider discussion on the same.”

K.C. Venugopal, theparty general secretary (organisation), said the meeting had resolved that the entire Congress party stood in solidarity with the people of Manipur.

“Already 70 days (of violence) are over, but our Prime Minister is in silent mode. We don’t know what matter is stopping the Prime Minister (from) giv(ing) at least a peace call for Manipur people,” he said.

“At least the BJP has to explain why the Prime Minister is silent… why he is not in a position to give a peace call. What is stopping him? If there is any reason, please explain to the country, please explain to the nation.”

Venugopal also tweeted: “The situation in Manipur is deeply concerning for all of us. Even in other states, the BJP has sowed seeds of conflict and is playing its politics in troubled waters.

“They created NEDA (North-East Development Authority) and gave false hope to the people of North East. But their dictatorial approach of controlling the whole of North East through an overlord convener has resulted in further chaos and disaster in the region.”

“Overlord convener” appeared an allusion to Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who minds the entire Northeast for the BJP.

“The Northeast needs a healing touch, and a genuine political effort that addresses grievances of the various communities and preserves the diversity of the region,” Venugopal said.