Rahul Gandhi to target BJP's divisive agenda in Manipur tomorrow

Congress managers said people will see which party brought peace in the troubled state and worked for them.

Congress strategists accused the BJP of being hand in glove with the insurgents who have a presence in around 20 assembly seats and cover around two-thirds of the geographical area in the state.

The BJP has blamed the state government for the recent blockade by the insurgents which paralysed life in the hill-state.

In the remaining 40 seats, the Congress managers said the BJP is propagating itself as the party of Hindus among the dominant Meitei tribe which follows Hindu traditions.

In 2012 polls, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) had won seven seats but later four of its MLAs joined the Congress and one passed away. Two others were disqualified and are now BJP lawmakers. All five members of Manipur State Congress Party joined the Congress and all four Naga People's Front members resigned.

The Congress tally, which had shot up to 51 from the initial 42 because of these mergers, is down to 47 after five lawmakers resigned.

The Congress managers said they have sufficient numbers in Manipur, while the BJP's presence is limited. Also, the Congress managers said the BJP lacks a chief ministerial face and is depending on Modi's appeal.

Party strategists also said the unrest among a section of lawmakers was addressed last year when long-time home minister T N Haokip was made the state unit chief.

The move had come after over 25 dissident MLAs had camped in New Delhi seeking changes in the party and the government.

As both the Congress and the BJP make charges and counter-charges at each other, the party managers will keep a watch on the crowd at Rahul's rally as it may give them an indication of things to come.