BJP Is Destroying Manipur, Says O. Ibobi; Alka Lamba Says Rahul Gandhi Will Be Next PM

Imphal, October 4, 2026: Congress leaders launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a political conference in Heirok, Manipur, accusing the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state of failing the people and weakening the state. All India Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba also claimed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would become the next Prime Minister of India.

The remarks were made during a One-Day Political Conference on Empowerment of Women in Politics, organised by the Heirok Block Mahila Congress Committee on Sunday.

Alka Lamba Says Rahul Gandhi Will Be the Next Prime Minister

Addressing the gathering, Alka Lamba said public dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was growing and claimed that people were looking towards Rahul Gandhi.

She referred to Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, highlighting his long-distance march from Kanyakumari to Kashmir and presenting it as an example of his commitment to national unity.

Lamba also accused the BJP governments of failing to protect Manipur's unity. She said Rahul Gandhi had visited Manipur with a message of justice and fairness and alleged that the BJP's policies were contributing to divisions within the state.

Her remarks come as political parties prepare to intensify their organisational activities in Manipur ahead of the next Assembly election.

Attack on BJP's Manipur Government

Lamba also criticised the BJP-led governments over issues concerning women, employment and housing. She alleged that people, particularly women, were increasingly dissatisfied with the government's performance.

She appealed to women voters not to exchange their votes for financial inducements, referring to alleged offers ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹1 lakh. These were political allegations made at the Congress event and were not accompanied by evidence in the remarks reported from the meeting.

Lamba further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah would seek votes in Manipur despite, according to her, having remained absent from the state during the recent crisis.

O. Ibobi Questions Development in Heirok

Former Manipur Chief Minister and Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president O. Ibobi Singh also criticised the BJP and questioned the development record of the current political leadership in Heirok.

Referring to the constituency's political representation, Ibobi expressed regret that voters had replaced the earlier Congress representative with a candidate from another party. He appeared to refer to BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam while questioning what development had taken place in the constituency.

Ibobi raised questions about the need for better healthcare facilities, schools and infrastructure, including a bridge and a properly equipped district hospital.

He said that during the Congress government's tenure, the existing primary health centre had been upgraded into a community health centre through construction of a new building.

Healthcare and Education Concerns

Ibobi said Heirok has a significant population of economically disadvantaged residents who may find it difficult to travel to Thoubal District Hospital or afford treatment at private hospitals.

He also referred to the proposal for an engineering college during the UPA period, saying that despite the recommendation, the institution had not materialised.

Ibobi alleged that political and contractual disputes had contributed to delays in development works. These claims were made by the Congress leader at the political conference.

Ibobi Calls BJP a "Destroyer"

Launching his strongest criticism of the BJP, Ibobi accused the party of being destructive rather than constructive.

He alleged that the situation in Manipur had deteriorated after the BJP came to power and claimed that the state had been fractured.

The Congress leader contrasted the BJP's record with what he described as development initiatives undertaken during the Congress period.

The BJP has faced sustained criticism from opposition parties in Manipur over the state's prolonged ethnic conflict, governance and development challenges. Congress leaders are seeking to make these issues central to their political campaign.

Congress Steps Up Political Activity in Manipur

The Heirok conference was attended by several senior Congress leaders, including Congress Legislature Party leader K. Meghachandra, former Speaker Thokchom Lokeshwar, former MLA and Cabinet Minister M. Okendro, and other party leaders and workers.

The event highlighted Congress's effort to strengthen its organisation and women's participation in politics while mounting a broader challenge to the BJP in Manipur.

With political activity increasing ahead of the next Assembly election, issues including peace, governance, employment, healthcare, education and development are expected to remain important themes in the state's political debate.