Sibal Counters PM Modi’s Manipur Critique: ‘Silent’ Players Accused of Political Games

New Delhi, August 11, 2023: Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent comments on the Manipur issue, asserting that those who remained “silent” were the ones engaged in political maneuvering. Sibal’s response followed Modi’s retort to the opposition during his response to a no-confidence motion raised by the INDIA bloc against his government.

Modi, during his parliamentary address, contended that the opposition had evaded discussing the Manipur situation, asserting that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had provided comprehensive and non-political explanations. In a tweet, Sibal countered, “PM: Opposition ‘playing politics’ over Manipur. Not quite. Remember, the Supreme Court suo motu expressed deep concern over violence against women. Said was ‘unacceptable in a constitutional democracy’.”

Sibal emphasized, “Not the opposition, but those who were silent were ‘playing politics’.” Sibal, who formerly served as a Union minister during UPA I and II, parted ways with the Congress in May the previous year and secured a Rajya Sabha seat as an Independent member with the backing of the Samajwadi Party. He has since launched a non-electoral platform called ‘Insaaf,’ dedicated to battling injustice.

This exchange between the Prime Minister and Sibal underscores the ongoing heated discussions surrounding the Manipur issue and the no-confidence motion, revealing the continued political tension between the government and the opposition.