Junagadh (Gujarat) [India], September 12 : Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's likely visit to Manipur, accusing him of ignoring the "main issue of the nation" which is 'vote Chori'.
The LoP added that the Prime Minister's visit is positive, but citizens across the country had begun using the phrase "Vote Chor" to describe him.
While speaking to mediapersons in Gujarat, the Congress MP reacted to reports of PM Modi's likely visit to Manipur and asserted that the Prime Minister's trip to the violence-hit state was welcome, but insisted that the bigger concern in the country was "electoral malpractice".
"The issue in Manipur has been ongoing for a long time. It is good that he is going there now. But the main issue in the country is that of 'Vote Chori'. The election mandates in Haryana and Maharashtra were stolen...People everywhere are saying 'Vote Chor'," Congress MP said.
Earlier on September 9, Congress General Secretary in-Charge Communications Jairam Ramesh criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to Manipur on September 13, calling it an insult to the people of the state.
In a post on X, the Congress MP shared a newspaper clipping about preparations for the visit and said it appeared that the prime minister would spend only three hours in Manipur.
https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1964597652341092693
"The proposed visit of the Prime Minister to Manipur on Sept 13 is being hailed by his cheerleaders. But it appears that he will be spending just about 3 hours--yes, just 3 hours--in the state. What does he hope to accomplish by such a rushed trip?" Jairam Ramesh wrote.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting five states, namely Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, West Bengal and Bihar from 13th to 15th September (Saturday to Monday), to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of projects worth Rs 71,850 crore, according to the Prime Minister's Office on Friday.
Prime Minister will visit Mizoram and lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects worth over Rs 9000 crore at Aizawl, at around 10 AM. He will also address a public function, according to the statement.
While in Manipur, he will lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 7,300 crore at Churachandpur at around 12:30 PM. He will also address the gathering on the occasion. Further, he will inaugurate various projects worth over Rs 1,200 crore at Imphal, at around 2:30 PM and address a public function.