Opposition MPs brief INDIA bloc parties on Manipur situation

Pic/PTI

MPs of Opposition alliance INDIA who had gone to Manipur to assess the situation in the strife-torn state on Monday briefed leaders of the grouping in Delhi, reported news agency PTI.

They met at the Parliament House and highlighted the ground realities before the alliance members, reported PTI.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who was part of the delegation, described the situation in Manipur as "grave".

"If any of the ruling party MPs go there and see the situation for themselves, they will not make casual statements," he told PTI.

A delegation of 21 Opposition MPs went to Manipur over the weekend, visiting the relief camps and meeting the people affected by the violence.

The opposition has been demanding a discussion on the Manipur violence in both Houses and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament.

They are set to raise the heat on the government over the issue and will press for a statement from the prime minister as well as an elaborate discussion.

Sonia Gandhi, the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge were present during the meeting, along with the leaders of various INDIA bloc parties.

Parliament convenes on Monday for what is expected to be another stormy session with the Manipur issue likely to take centre stage again. The Monsoon session, which began on July 20, has been marred by disruptions and walkouts over the violence in the northeastern state.

The Opposition front had on Wednesday submitted a notice for a no-confidence motion against the government in Lok Sabha.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla later admitted the motion after a headcount of over 50 MPs as required under the rules. Birla said a date and time for discussion on it will be fixed by him after consultation with all parties.

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha on Monday gave suspension of business notice in Parliament to discuss the breakdown of law and order situation in Manipur.

In his notice, Chadha wrote, "That this House do suspend Zero Hour and relevant rules relating to Question Hour and other business of the day to discuss the violence in Manipur which has resulted in loss of precious lives in Manipur due to failure and incompetence of Central and state governments."

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)