Imphal, May 21: Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh has strongly criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing the comments as “disgraceful and reckless”.
Reacting to Gandhi’s statement, Singh said the remarks amounted not only to an attack on the office of the Prime Minister but also to the democratic mandate of the country’s electorate.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister stated that India would not accept insults directed at its elected leadership and national integrity for what he described as political gain.
He further accused Gandhi of promoting “toxic and divisive politics” at a time when the country was facing both domestic and external challenges. Singh said attempts to create public discord through such comments were highly condemnable.
The political controversy emerged after Gandhi, during a public address in Rae Bareli, launched criticism against Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over issues related to governance and the economy. Gandhi allegedly referred to the two leaders as “traitors” and also criticised the Prime Minister’s widely discussed interaction with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, calling it “nautanki”.
The exchange between Modi and Meloni had gained widespread attention online during bilateral engagements in Italy and came to be referred to by many on social media as the “Melody moment”. Gandhi reportedly questioned the timing and public focus around the interaction, linking it to concerns surrounding economic pressures and fuel prices.
The remarks have prompted strong reactions from the BJP, with several leaders accusing Gandhi of lowering the standard of political discourse and disrespecting democratic institutions. Yogi Adityanath also criticised the comments, describing them as undignified and contrary to democratic values.
