Congress ‘Books’ PM Modi’s Flight to Manipur: Pawan Khera Urges Visit Amid Ongoing Violence

In a sharp political message aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress on Saturday claimed it had “booked” a flight for him from Assam to Manipur, urging him to personally visit the violence-affected state during his ongoing Northeast tour.

Congress leader Pawan Khera took to Social Media platform X to publicly appeal to the Prime Minister, arguing that while poll-bound states may receive priority, Manipur — grappling with unrest since 2023 — cannot be overlooked.

“We know that poll-bound states are always your priority. But it is not appropriate to abandon Manipur. The state has been burning since 2023 and it is burning again,” Khera wrote, in a post that quickly drew widespread political reactions.

‘You Are Already in Assam, It’s Only an Hour to Manipur’

The remarks came as Prime Minister Modi was in Assam to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for development projects worth over Rs 5,450 crore. Highlighting the geographical proximity of the two states, Khera urged the Prime Minister to make a short visit to Imphal.

“You are already in Assam today. It’s just an hour to Manipur. Please go there too. The Prime Minister’s presence can greatly reassure the people of Manipur,” he added.

The Congress leader framed the appeal as a call for direct intervention at a time when the northeastern state continues to witness periodic flare-ups and political tension.

‘Even Your Flight Has Been Booked’ — Political Sarcasm Intensifies

Escalating the political tone, Khera claimed that the Congress had symbolically “booked” the Prime Minister’s flight from Guwahati to Imphal to make the visit easier.

Sharing what he described as an airline ticket, he wrote, “To make it easier for you, we have even booked your flight from Guwahati to Imphal. You just have to board the plane.”

In a pointed jab referencing the Centre’s relief fund, he added, “I don’t have your phone number, so I am sharing your flight ticket here. Please use it and show that the PM CARES.”

The post sparked sharp online debate. While some social media users criticized the tone as confrontational, others echoed the demand that the Prime Minister personally visit Manipur to assess the ground situation.

Manipur Crisis Remains a Political Flashpoint

Manipur has been facing prolonged ethnic and communal tensions since 2023, with intermittent violence and displacement affecting thousands of residents. Although the Centre has maintained that security operations and administrative measures are being taken to restore normalcy, opposition parties continue to question the effectiveness of these efforts.

The Congress has repeatedly demanded that the Prime Minister visit the state, arguing that such a move would send a strong signal of solidarity and accountability. Khera’s latest remarks appear designed to intensify that pressure at a politically sensitive moment.

For the ruling establishment, the focus during the Assam visit has been on development and infrastructure expansion. For the opposition, however, the spotlight remains firmly on Manipur’s unresolved crisis.

As of now, there has been no immediate response from the Prime Minister’s Office regarding Khera’s post or the demand for a Manipur visit.

Political Optics and Public Sentiment

In the broader political landscape, Manipur has emerged as a recurring point of contention between the government and opposition. The Congress argues that direct prime ministerial engagement could calm tensions and restore confidence among citizens. The Centre, meanwhile, has emphasized institutional mechanisms and coordinated security responses.

Whether the Prime Minister alters his schedule remains uncertain. However, the Congress’s symbolic gesture of “booking” a flight underscores how Manipur continues to dominate political discourse at the national level.