From 'Non-Biological PM' To 'Tragedy Tourism': Congress-BJP Spar Over Rahul's Visit To Assam, Manipur

Rahul Gandhi's visit to Assam and Manipur has drawn attention from all blocks amidst severe crises gripping both the northeast states.

In Assam, where floods, landslides, and storms have claimed 78 lives this year, Gandhi visited flood-affected communities in Cachar.

His visit underscored his role as Leader of Opposition, focusing on the devastating impact on local populations. This is Rahul Gandhi's first visit to the Northeast after becoming the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, reported India Today.

Meanwhile, in Manipur, which has been marred by ethnic violence since May 2023, Gandhi's visit aimed to address ongoing tensions.

Slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's absence from Manipur during the crisis, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on X said, "The non-biological PM goes to Moscow while the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha heads for Assam and Manipur."

In response, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya accused Gandhi of "sick tragedy tourism," attributing the ethnic conflict in Manipur to Congress's historical governance. He added, "The state has witnessed the killing of civilians, police, and Army personnel for decades, while Congress was in power."

Meanwhile in Assam floods, the death toll has reached 78.

Assam floods have affected 28 districts, including Kamrup, Nagaon, Cachar, Dhubri, Goalpara, Morigaon, Hailakandi, Bongaigaon, South Salmara, Dibrugarh, Karimganj, Lakhimpur, Hojai, Nalbari, Charaideo, Biswanath, Golaghat, Jorhat, Dhemaji, Barpeta, Sonitpur, Kokrajhar, Majuli, Kamrup (Metropolitan), Darrang, Sivasagar, Chirang, and Tinsukia.

Nine rivers in the state, including the Brahmaputra, Barak, and their tributaries, are flowing above the danger mark at many places. The Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger level in Neamatighat, Tezpur, and Dhubri, while its water level is receding in Guwahati.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited flood relief camps in Kamrup district to assess the impact of the ongoing floods and oversee the distribution of relief materials to the affected people. The government has set up relief camps to provide shelter to the displaced people, and relief materials are being distributed among the affected population.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 2.3 million people have been affected by the floods, and 3,446 villages have been inundated. The floods have also damaged crops and infrastructure, causing significant losses to the people of the state.

The ASDMA has reported that 53,689 people have taken shelter in relief camps, and relief materials have been distributed among 3,15,520 people who are not in relief camps. The authorities have also rescued 70 people and 459 cattle in the last 24 hours.

(With agency inputs)