IMPHAL/UKHRUL: BJP Manipur Pradesh Media convenor Ch. Chidananda on Friday sought an explanation from the Congress high command over its silence on the sexual harassment case involving Inner Manipur MP Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, questioning whether the party was standing by the MP or contemplating action against him.
Speaking at a press conference at the BJP Manipur Pradesh office, Chidananda directed his questions at Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, asking why the party’s national leadership had not publicly stated its position on the controversy.
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Chidananda said the case, linked to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), had raised serious questions that the Congress leadership needed to address. He questioned why the party had not made its position clear despite the complaint and the subsequent developments.
“If Bimol is a Congress MP, how will he raise his voice in Parliament if the party itself does not clarify its position on the matter?” he asked.
The BJP leader demanded a clear answer from the Congress high command on whether it was protecting Akoijam or considering action against him. He also questioned the time taken in the case and asked why the national leadership had yet to speak publicly.
Raising further questions about the Congress’s internal political calculations, Chidananda asked whether the silence was connected to any political strategy, including the possibility of projecting Akoijam as the party’s chief ministerial candidate in Manipur. He, however, presented these as questions requiring clarification from the Congress leadership.
Stressing that his remarks were directed at the national leadership of the Congress rather than only the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, Chidananda said the issue had national political implications and that questioning the Opposition was part of parliamentary democracy.
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He also urged Akoijam to address the matter before the appropriate authorities and put up a strong legal defence.
“Give your answers in Delhi and before the court. Respond to the concerned authorities and put up a good fight,” Chidananda said.