“I am ready to come 10 times more for Manipur Peace.” These words, spoken by Rahul Gandhi while addressing the media in Manipur, underscore the Congress leader’s commitment to addressing the ongoing crisis in the state. For over a year, Manipur has been engulfed in violence and unrest, yet Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not made a single visit. In stark contrast, Rahul Gandhi has visited the troubled region thrice—twice before the polls and once since becoming the Leader of the Opposition (LOP). His latest visit was marked by a sense of urgency and determination, as he implored PM Modi to visit Manipur as soon as possible, emphasizing that such a visit would significantly boost the morale of the people.
Rahul Gandhi’s message was clear and heartfelt: “I don’t want to politicize this. The people of Manipur need peace, and the Prime Minister’s visit would boost their morale.” On Twitter, he further elaborated, “It’s the third time I’ve come to Manipur since the violence broke out. I was expecting some improvement in the situation, but I was quite disappointed to see that the situation is still nowhere near what it should be. I visited the camps and heard the people there and their pain. I came here to listen to them, to build confidence in them, as somebody who is in the Opposition, to try and apply pressure on the government so that it acts. I’ve come here as your brother, as somebody who wants to help you bring back peace in Manipur. The need of the hour is peace. Violence is hurting everyone. Thousands of families have been harmed, and properties have been destroyed. I have never seen anything like what is going on here in India. The state is completely split in two. The Congress party is ready to do whatever it can to bring back peace here. We had a conversation with the Governor, and we expressed our willingness to help in any way we can. We also expressed our displeasure and said that we are not happy with the progress that has taken place here. I don’t want to go further into politicizing this issue; that’s not my intention. Violence and hatred are not going to provide any solution.“
In stark contrast to Gandhi’s hands-on approach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has remained conspicuously silent on the issue. During Gandhi’s recent visit to Manipur, Modi was in Moscow, engaged in promotional activities. This juxtaposition of Gandhi’s direct engagement with the crisis and Modi’s distant diplomacy raises questions about the priorities of the current government. It seems that Rahul Gandhi’s relentless focus on pressing issues like Manipur’s unrest is beginning to pose a significant challenge to the ruling BJP’s dominance.
Modi’s penchant for international visits and high-profile engagements has been critiqued for yielding little tangible benefit to India. Despite numerous trips abroad, there is a growing sentiment that these efforts have not significantly advanced India’s interests. Meanwhile, Gandhi’s straightforward public appearance strategy, highlighted by initiatives like the Bharat Jodo Yatra, has revitalized the opposition and garnered public support.
As Rahul Gandhi continues to address critical issues such as NEET, Agniveer, and unemployment, his efforts may strengthen the Congress party and its alliance partners in upcoming elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir. If the NDA alliance loses seats in these elections, it could mark a turning point in the political landscape, making the future more challenging for Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
Rahul Gandhi’s commitment to peace in Manipur and his broader efforts to address national issues underscore a stark contrast in leadership styles. While Modi remains focused on grandiose international engagements, Gandhi’s ground-level approach resonates with the common people, potentially reshaping the future of Indian politics. The people of Manipur, and indeed the entire nation, are watching closely to see which vision will ultimately prevail.