Manipur violence: PM guilty, so unable to face Parliament, says RJD chief Lalu Yadav

Lalu Yadav, the supremo of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), stated on Tuesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was guilty and hence unable to address the Opposition's demand for his presence in Parliament for a debate on the Manipur violence.

"The Prime Minister is guilty, so he is unable to face it," he said.  

When questioned about his alleged declaration that PM Modi will relocate abroad after the 2024 Lok Sabha election, he responded, "He is getting a place outside. He will have to run away like Marcos (Ferdinand Marcos, former President of the Philippines). He has committed so much sin."

#WATCH | On Opposition's demand for PM's presence in the Parliament for discussion on Manipur, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav says, "PM is guilty, so he is unable to face it..."

When asked about his reported statement that PM Modi will settle abroad after losing 2024 Lok Sabha… pic.twitter.com/c9KMuOYsuR

— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023

Notably, since the initial day of the monsoon session, opposition lawmakers have been relentlessly pressurising the central government in Parliament over the Manipur violence. Additionally, the opposition MPs are asking PM Modi to make a statement in the House over the violence. 

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal on Tuesday asked the PM when he would do so. He said that the the opposition alliance I.N.D.I.A was ready for a debate on the Manipur crisis only if the PM would show up.

"We are ready for any discussion. We also told as much to the Rajya Sabha Chairman. If the Prime Minister comes to the House and makes a statement (on Manipur), we are ready for a discussion. When is he going to discuss this serious issue in Parliament? Why is PM running away from a discussion?" Venugopal asked.

The opposition alliance's 21-member delegation touched down in the northeastern state on Saturday for a two-day visit. The state has been the epicentre of ethnic conflict and bloodshed since May 3.

On Sunday afternoon, the leaders arrived back in the national capital.

The All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) held a demonstration on May 3 against the slated inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes (STs) list, which sparked an outbreak of violence in the state.