Venugopal slams Manipur CM Biren Singh, says "was unfit to remain in post"

New Delhi [India], February 9 (ANI): Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal slammed Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh following his resignation, saying that it was "evident" he was "unfit" for his post.
Venugopal also targeted central government for "shielding" Biren Singh despite growing demands for his removal over Manipur violence.
"Since May 2023, it was clear to the entire world that N. Biren Singh's position as Manipur CM was untenable. It was also evident that he was unfit to remain in his post, yet the Central Government continued to shield him despite growing demands for his removal," Venugopal wrote on X.
Venugopal accused Biren Singh of "exacerbating the civil war-like situation in Manipur" for past 20 months.
"His inaction and active role in instigating violence cost many precious lives--lives that could have been saved had he been removed earlier," Venugopal wrote on X.
"The irrefutable audio clips exposing his role in inciting violence, and the Congress party's no-confidence motion against his government, finally forced him to resign. We hope this marks the first step towards ending the horrific nightmare that Manipur has endured," he said.
Manipur CM Biren Singh tendered his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhawan nearly two years after the violence started in the state.
He was accompanied by BJP president A Sharda, BJP's North East Manipur in-charge Sambit Patra, along with at least 19 MLAs.
"It has been an honour to serve the people of Manipur so far," Singh said in his resignation letter.
On February 3, SC sought the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) report on the examination of certain leaked audio tapes which allegedly implicate Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh for instigating ethnic violence in the state.
The violence between the Meitei and the Kuki communities in Manipur erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3, 2023, following the Manipur High Court order directing the state to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes list. (ANI)