Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday wondered how a leader could be trusted to protect the country if he ignores the worst kind of violence in Manipur and gives preference to election campaign instead.

Addressing a Mahila Congress convention in New Delhi, Kharge said: “Manipur has been burning for three months. We were forced to bring a no-confidence motion to compel him (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) to speak on Manipur. He spoke in the Lok Sabha because he was constitutionally obliged to reply to the debate on the no-confidence motion. But he didn’t come to the Rajya Sabha because there was no compulsion.”

The Congress veteran added: “Modi instead chose to address election rallies in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh…. But he didn’t go to Manipur, which is facing total destruction. He would have gone if there was a sense of duty and compassion in his heart. He can’t offer solutions; he can only create divisions. How can such a leader be trusted to protect the country?”

The Congress has in the past raised questions about Modi’s ability to provide leadership in times of crisis, when he appeared to fall short during the Chinese intrusions and the second wave of the Covid pandemic when lakhs died. Modi disappeared from television screens when reports of an oxygen crisis replaced trivia on his taali-thali balcony show. While Modi didn’t go to Manipur, he visits far-flung places to inaugurate trains and stations.

Kharge sought to turn the tables on Modi on the dynasty question. “Modi attacks us for dynastic politics. Indira Gandhi is known for the ‘garibi hatao’ (remove poverty) campaign, creation of Bangladesh, abolition of the privy purse, nationalisation of banks, action against bonded labour and the 25-point programmes.”

Modi had in his Independence Day speech identified dynasty, corruption and nepotism as the main ills afflicting India and raised the slogan: “Vanshvaad, Bharat Chhodo (Dynasty, Quit India).”

Hinting that this was a bogus issue and leaders should be judged on their actions and commitments, Kharge said: “Sonia Gandhi sacrificed the Prime Minister’s post even as she was in public service for 25 years.”

He added: “Sonia Gandhi gave MGNREGA, RTE, RTI, Food Security Act. Rahul Gandhi was not even an MP when he chose to visit Manipur to feel the pain of the distressed people. And what did you (Modi) do? You filled the pockets of Adani-Ambani. You fed them so much that they are unable to digest. This, (you did) at a time when the poor are struggling for survival. You sing ek akela… What arrogance!”

Alleging that Modi was obsessed with tormenting the people, Kharge said: “You keep wondering which Opposition leader should be harassed. You put writers, activists and anybody who speaks the truth into jail. You are the first Prime Minister who uses official functions organised with taxpayers’ money to abuse Opposition leaders. Earn respect through your good work instead of abusing the Congress. You have been a chief minister for more than 13 years and Prime Minister for nine years and still play the victim card.”