Silchar : Manipur Lok Sabha MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam on Tuesday blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the recent unrest in Manipur, using the issue as a key campaign plank while canvassing for Congress candidate Shanti Kumar Singh in Assam’s Lakhipur constituency.

Addressing party workers at the Congress office in Silchar, Akoijam alleged that the prevailing situation in Manipur is a direct outcome of the ruling party’s policies. “The incidents that have taken place in Manipur in recent days are due to the BJP,” he said, attributing the unrest to what he described as governance failures that foster division.

Emphasising the broader implications of the crisis, the MP said Manipur should be viewed within the national framework. “Manipur is not separate from India; it is an integral part of the country,” he said, warning that instability in the state carries consequences beyond its borders.

Expanding his criticism, Akoijam accused the BJP of deepening social fault lines by categorising communities along tribal and non-tribal lines. He cautioned that Assam, given its diverse demographic composition, could face similar divisions if such political strategies persist.

Positioning the Indian National Congress campaign as a counter to what he termed divisive politics, Akoijam called for unity among voters. “We are all one,” he said, urging the electorate to reject narratives that fragment society and instead support Congress candidates in the upcoming Assembly polls.

He also took aim at the BJP’s campaign messaging in Assam, dismissing a promotional video circulated by the party as misleading and likening it to an “April Fool’s joke,” while expressing confidence that voters would see through such efforts.

Turning to governance issues, Akoijam criticised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging a gap between announcements and implementation. Citing the healthcare sector, he pointed to a shortage of doctors despite claims of large-scale hospital projects, arguing that such promises risk misleading the public.

The BJP has not issued an immediate response to the allegations.