Gehlot hits out at Modi for making reference to Rajasthan in Manipur comments

“Imagine what Mr. Modi would have said if Manipur was a Congress-ruled State,” Mr. Gehlot said.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making a reference to the State in his remarks on the sexual violence in Manipur and said his comments had “hurt the self-respect” of the people of the State. Mr. Gehlot also asked why Mr. Modi had not visited Manipur so far.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Gehlot said that Mr. Modi, who was visiting various States for the election campaign and travelling to foreign countries, could not even get time to hold a meeting in Manipur and review the situation there. “Manipur is a part of our country. It has a BJP government,” he added.

“Imagine what Mr. Modi would have said if Manipur was a Congress-ruled State,” Mr. Gehlot said. Expressing serious concern over the situation in the north-eastern State, he said Manipur Chief Minister had admitted that over 100 incidents of rape had taken place, while reports about nearly 4,000 FIRs having been registered were coming from the State.

The Chief Minister said Mr. Modi had hurt the sentiments of the people of Rajasthan with the way he had condemned the violence in Manipur. There was no occasion to ask the Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh to look after law and order in their States when Mr. Modi was talking about Manipur, he said.

Mr. Gehlot also took exception to Mr. Modi’s remark that the Manipur incident had put 140 crore Indians to shame. “The people of the country are in fact saddened by the deeds of the Modi government. He spoke on the matter only after the Supreme Court’s intervention.... He finished his statement in a few seconds as he just wanted to complete the formality,” he said.

The sporadic incidents in Rajasthan, on which prompt action had been taken, could not be compared with the violence-hit Manipur, Mr. Gehlot said. He also said Mr. Modi was an “expert in marketing”, in which the facts were twisted and full-scale propaganda was launched.

He added that Mr. Modi, coming to address a rally in Nagaur district on July 27, would again indulge in marketing.