IMPHAL | Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Manipur on November 26 as the party steps up preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections. Churachandpur is expected to be among the places on his proposed itinerary, with plans for him to meet internally displaced persons (IDPs) from different communities.

Congress Legislature Party leader K. Meghachandra Singh said the party had received definite communication about Gandhi’s proposed visit, though the detailed itinerary and programmes were yet to be finalised.

“Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Manipur in the last week of November. Although the itinerary has not been finalised yet, we have received definite communication regarding his visit,” Meghachandra said.

Gandhi is expected to interact with internally displaced people, youths and healthcare workers. The state Congress unit is also planning programmes involving young people as part of the proposed visit.

Churachandpur is likely to feature in the itinerary, particularly for interactions with displaced families. However, it remains unclear whether Kangpokpi will also be included.

Meghachandra said the visit should not be viewed solely as a political exercise, arguing that Gandhi wanted to understand the situation on the ground and explore ways to address the ethnic violence and tensions that have continued in the state for nearly three-and-a-half years.

Asked whether the visit was also linked to the forthcoming Assembly elections, he acknowledged that the electoral dimension was part of the programme. He said the party intended to make it an inclusive exercise.

The proposed visit comes as the Manipur Congress prepares for the 2027 polls amid reported differences within its state unit.

A Congress leader familiar with the party’s internal affairs said three political groupings had emerged around Meghachandra, state Congress president O. Ibobi Singh and Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.

The leader described Ibobi Singh as the most influential Congress figure in the state, while Akoijam’s emergence as another political centre has added a new dimension to the party’s internal dynamics. Akoijam has reportedly expressed interest in contesting the next Assembly election from the Keishamthong constituency.

The Congress faces the twin challenge of mounting a political challenge to the BJP and addressing internal differences, consolidating its leadership and strengthening its organisational network ahead of the polls.

Gandhi had visited Manipur in June 2023, shortly after ethnic violence broke out, and again in July 2024, when he visited relief camps and met people affected by the conflict.

While November 26 has emerged as the likely date for his next visit, the Congress leadership is yet to formally announce the final itinerary and programme.

 He further questioned the BJP-led alliance’s internal leadership changes and government formation strategies, alleging that certain steps were constitutionally flawed.

The Congress demand comes amid continuing political debate over the government’s handling of Manipur’s prolonged ethnic crisis, rehabilitation of displaced people, financial assistance and restoration of normalcy.

The state government’s response to the allegations made by the Congress leader was not available in the report.