‘Centre Sees Manipur’s Plight but Lacks Vision … Budget Falls Short of Healing’: TMC MP Sushmita Dev

‘Centre Sees Manipur’s Plight but Lacks Vision... Budget Falls Short of Healing’: TMC MP Sushmita Dev

By Panthunggi Paodam - March 19, 2025

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs, led by Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev, staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha on Monday, dismissing the Manipur Budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as “run-of-the-mill.” In an interview, Dev elaborated on the party’s protest, the ongoing crisis in Manipur, and broader issues like the Election Commission’s role and recent violence in Nagpur. She sharply criticized the central government’s handling of Manipur, arguing that the Budget failed to address the state’s dire needs after 22 months of unrest.

Why the Walkout?

“The Finance Minister’s answer was an eyewash,” Dev said, explaining the TMC’s decision to leave the House. She described the Manipur Budget as lackluster, failing to reflect the state’s economic collapse amid prolonged violence and blockades. “The Budget could have been a healing touch for Manipur but turned out to be ordinary,” she added, voicing the Opposition’s frustration with the central government’s approach.

Manipur’s Crisis and President’s Rule

Manipur has been under President’s Rule since last month, a move Dev sees as belated and politically motivated. “It is clear to me that despite 22 months of mayhem, President’s Rule was imposed only last month,” she remarked. She suggested that the delay stemmed from “an internal crisis within the BJP and their fear of being exposed about the actual cause of the violence.”

Dev questioned the inaction of key figures like the Governor and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the past two years. “They are now asking for weapons to be surrendered. Could this not have been done before?” she asked. She also pointed to the former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s delayed resignation, noting, “All these things were within their power for the last 22 months, but they did not do anything.” In her view, the BJP has lost the ability to unite Manipur’s people, particularly the warring Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

A Path Forward

When asked about solutions, Dev emphasized the need for fresh leadership. “The only way Manipur can emerge from the crisis is by having a new government with a proper mandate,” she asserted. Quoting a well-known saying, she added, “You may have a sight of things but not the vision.” For Dev, this encapsulates the Centre’s approach: “The Centre has a sight of things but no vision for Manipur. It is clear from how it has handled things so far.”

Beyond the Budget

Dev also touched on broader democratic concerns, slamming the Election Commission (EC) for failing to safeguard voting rights. “It is single-handedly the EC’s responsibility to ensure voters can exercise their democratic right to vote and that the right is not tampered with … EC has failed in its Constitutional duty,” she said. Her comments come amid discussions on duplicate EPIC cards and unrest in Nagpur, though she reserved detailed remarks on those issues for another forum.

A Missed Opportunity

For Dev and the TMC, the Manipur Budget was a missed chance to signal hope and recovery. Instead, she sees it as evidence of the Centre’s shortsightedness in a state reeling from ethnic strife and governance breakdowns. As Manipur navigates its future under President’s Rule, Dev’s critique underscores a growing demand for accountability and a clearer roadmap to peace.

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