Title: Opposition Parties Aim to Defeat Prime Minister Modi on Law and Order, Dual-Machine Rule, and Women’s Welfare in Manipur
Subtitle: Visuals of Manipur violence challenge BJP’s claims as opposition forms a united front
Date: [Current Date]
In a bid to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the opposition parties have intensified their efforts to defeat the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government on three crucial aspects: law and order, dual-machine rule, and women’s welfare in Manipur. The recent shocking visuals of women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted in Manipur have brought the remote northeast region into the national political discourse, rendering the government’s claims irrelevant.
Opposition leaders are strategically framing the law and order breakdown in Manipur as a failure of the BJP government in the state. They also criticize the Prime Minister for speaking about the crisis almost three months after the violence erupted, accusing him of shirking his responsibility. While previous attempts by the opposition to target the Prime Minister on issues such as corruption and cronyism have not affected his popularity, the power of the visuals has sparked a new wave of public outrage.
The opposition believes that the Modi government cannot escape accountability for the Manipur issue. By exposing the BJP’s claims of effectiveness in maintaining law and order, the opposition is also questioning the government’s ability to protect India’s borders. The violence in the peaceful border region with Myanmar has persisted since May 3, further tarnishing the government’s image.
Furthermore, the appointment of Draupadi Murmu as India’s first tribal President, who is also a woman, reveals a crack in the Modi government’s supposed outreach to Scheduled Tribes. The opposition sees these incidents as opportunities to capitalize on come the 2024 elections, especially in battleground states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, where the BJP is heavily relying on the narrative of dual-machine rule.
While Manipur remains at the forefront of the opposition’s agenda, other pressing issues include demanding an assessment of Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi’s performance, fighting against the amendment to the Central Administrative Services Ordinance in Delhi, addressing the split in Maharashtra between the NCP and the Shiv Sena, and highlighting concerns about price hikes. Plans to expose the misuse of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have been modified to focus on the current crisis.
An opposition leader explained, “All these issues remain crucial to us. But the government can deflect us by delving into history, presenting precedents. However, they are gravely lagging when it comes to Manipur… That’s why the Prime Minister broke his silence after two months.” The leader also suggested that the BJP might sacrifice Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh if pressured, which would be a moral victory for the united opposition.
Nevertheless, if the Modi government refuses to make a statement, the opposition faces a dilemma of how long they can wait, especially since different parties have their own specific state or nationwide issues to address. The battle of wills between the government and the opposition continues, with the BJP flexing its resources to target opposition governments in Rajasthan and West Bengal. Meanwhile, NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s caution on the matter has drawn criticism from other opposition parties, warranting a joint parliamentary committee or Supreme Court watchdog inquiry into the Adani issue.
As the political landscape heats up, the outcomes of these battles will undoubtedly shape the course of Indian politics and the nation’s future.