Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday posted a set of 5 questions for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X on the 175th day of violence in Manipur, asking why N Biren Singh is still being allowed to continue as the chief minister of the state. Ramesh accused PM Modi of abandoning the people of Manipur when they needed his “intervention and outreach” the most.

“The people of Manipur and the entire Northeast are closely watching how the Prime Minister has abandoned the state of Manipur at a time when his intervention and outreach was needed the most. He cannot escape accountability and responsibility by completely ignoring the crisis,” he wrote on X.

“Why is the CM who is so thoroughly discredited across sections of Manipur’s society still being allowed to continue?” he added.

In his attack, Ramesh claimed the Union Minister of State of External Affairs who represents Manipur (Inner) in the Lok Sabha (RK Ranjan Singh), hadn’t been able to meet PM Modi.

Also read: ‘Peace will be restored, people will be happy’: Manipur CM N Biren Singh

He claimed PM Modi only spoke on the subject of violence for five minutes

“Why has the PM who pontificates on all subjects not seen it fit to speak on Manipur publicly for more than 4-5 minutes at most, that too in a routine manner and after immense pressure from the Opposition?” he wrote.

He asked why PM Modi, “who loves to travel at the drop of a hat”, did not visit Manipur to show his concern.

At least 178 people have died and 50,000 have been displaced in ethnic clashes since May.

The opposition has been demanding sacking of N Biren Singh for not being able to control violence for over three months.

Ramesh’s questions come on a day when RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat mentioned Manipur in his annual Vijayadashami address.

“Manipur, which had been peaceful for almost a decade has suddenly seen mutual discord and conflict. Who has a vested interest in trying to disturb the atmosphere ? Which are the forces that are attempting to trigger hatred and violence by causing an incident as soon as any positive step is taken for peace,” he said.