Congress Accuses BJP of ‘Murdering’ Democracy in Manipur, Goa

Congress also accused BJP of abducting an Independent MLA from Manipur.

Congress leaders Digvijay Singh and Randeep Surjewala. (Photo: The Quint)

As BJP staked claim to forming a new government in Manipur, the Congress on Sunday accused it of "playing a dangerous game of subverting democracy" and abducting an Independent MLA from Manipur by misusing the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Imphal airport.

The BJP staked claim to forming a new government in Manipur with support from three small NDA constituents, a Congress MLA and the lone Trinamool Congress legislator, taking its tally to 32.

Also Read: Both Congress and BJP Claim Numbers To Form Government in Manipur

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said that according to the Constitution and norms, the single-largest party is always invited to form the government.

The BJP government is subverting law and democracy through their Governors, who are acting as stooges.

Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress spokesperson

The party also accused the BJP of "murdering" democracy in Goa and dubbed Manohar Parrikar a "villain" after the saffron party stole march on it.

Congress leader Digvijay Singh accused Parrikar of indulging in “horse trading” and "hijacking the popular mandate which was in favour of the Congress."

Also Read: Parrikar Appointed as Goa CM by Governor, Asked to Prove Majority

Winning 17 seats, the Congress had on Saturday emerged as the single largest party in the Goa Assembly polls, which threw up a hung verdict. But on Sunday, after gaining support of other parties and independent MLAs, Paarrikar was appointed as Goa Chief Minister and has been asked to prove majority.

We were in a position to form government in Goa after people favoured us and were in the process of doing so. But what the BJP did there is unthinkable and murder of democracy. Parrikar is the villain behind what has transpired.

Shantaram Naik, Congress Secretary told PTI 

The ruling Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have secured 28 and 21 seats, respectively, in Manipur after the assembly elections held earlier this month.

BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav on Sunday said the party will meet Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla to stake claim to forming the new government in the state with the support of the National People's Party (NPP) and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).

The BJP, which won 21 seats in the assembly elections held earlier this month, achieved the vaunted 31-seat mark earlier in the day with the support of its ally Naga People's Front (NPF) (4 seats), and the NPP (4 seats), LJP (1) and one Independent.

(With inputs from IANS and PTI.)