Uddhav Thackeray questions if Modi would visit Manipur after RSS chief urges PM to act

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday (June 12) asked if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would visit the conflict-stricken Manipur after RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwant raised concerns over the current situation in the northeastern state.

"Mohan Bhagwat has said that Manipur is burning. He has at least said this after a year. Will the prime minister and home minister not go there?," askedthe former Maharashtra chief minister while addressing a press conference in Mumbai.

He then called for the Modi-led government to highlight the changes Jammu and Kashmir experienced on the ground after receiving a special status and if there was a need for the abrogation of Article 370, which had given it special status.

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“Lives are being lost. Who is responsible for the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir?” Thackeray asked.

“I am concerned about the future of the country and not about the future of the NDA government,” he added.

'Manipur...should be discussed on priority,' says RSS Chief

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief on Monday (June 10) said that the situation in Manipur should be discussed on priority as it has been waiting for peace for over a year now.

While addressing the closing ceremony of the RSS worker's development class in Maharashtra's Nagpur, Bhagat said, "Manipur has been looking for peace for a year now. It should be discussed on priority.

"The state had been peaceful for the past 10 years. It felt like the old 'gun culture' had come to a demise. It is still burning in the fire of the sudden tension that rose there or that was made to rise there. Who will pay attention to that? It is the duty to prioritise it and take note of it."

His remarks came after PM Modi took charge for his third consecutive term.

Indian opposition welcomes RSS chief's remarks

Indian opposition welcomed his statement on Tuesday, with the Congress party saying they hoped the words of Bhagwat would “prevail” upon PM Modi.

“If not the one-third of the Prime Minister's conscience or the repeated demands of the people of Manipur, perhaps Mr Bhagwat can prevail upon the former RSS office-bearer to go to Manipur Remember what Mr Vajpayee had told Mr Modi 22 years back: fulfil your rajdharma,” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said.

Another top Congress leader Kapil Sibal quipped that it was 'not in Modi's DNA' to listen to anyone but he should pay attention to Bhagwat's words.

"We raised concern about Manipur, Bhagwat ji has also said it now. You don't listen to us because you are not used to listening to us but listen to him. It is not in your DNA to listen to us. Manipur should be given priority. I had asked for the removal of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, but you could not remove the former wrestling body chief. What will you do about the Chief Minister?" Sibal said.

(With inputs from agencies)