The deleted post had sparked an immediate backlash, both within the Congress party and among the general public. It was perceived by many as an undermining of the current leadership in Manipur, particularly of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who has faced intense criticism for his handling of the ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Chidambaram's comments were seen as an indirect critique of Singh’s administration and its failure to effectively address the crisis that has continued for months.
Ibobi Singh, in a statement issued shortly after the post was removed, distanced himself from Chidambaram’s remarks. He stressed that such comments were not in line with the Congress party's stance on the issue. While acknowledging the gravity of the ongoing conflict, Ibobi Singh emphasized that dialogue and unity among the affected communities were critical, rather than fueling divisions through public statements.
The violence that has gripped Manipur since May has involved fierce clashes between the Meitei, who are predominantly Hindu and politically dominant in the valley, and the Kuki-Zo and Naga tribes, who are primarily Christian and mostly inhabit the hilly regions. The conflict has left over 180 dead and thousands displaced, with widespread destruction across the state. The central government has intervened by sending in paramilitary forces and imposing curfews, but peace remains elusive.
At the heart of the dispute is the demand for autonomy and greater political representation from the ethnic communities outside the Meitei-majority valley. Both the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities have expressed concerns over their marginalization in state politics and the threat to their cultural identity. The Meitei, on the other hand, have demanded more political power, often citing their majority status in the valley and historical grievances with the state government.
Chidambaram’s call for greater regional autonomy, however, is seen by some as adding fuel to the fire. While autonomy for ethnic groups is a longstanding issue in India’s Northeast, where various tribal communities have called for self-rule, the idea of further fragmentation of Manipur’s governance has raised concerns about its political stability. Critics of Chidambaram’s post argue that such statements could exacerbate the existing divisions, and push the state further into a state of conflict.
Ibobi Singh’s disapproval of the post is particularly significant given his political history in Manipur. As the longest-serving Chief Minister of the state, he has considerable influence within the Congress party, especially in the region. His criticisms signal a broader concern within Congress over the direction in which some senior leaders are taking the party’s stance on the Manipur issue. There are also internal divisions within the party over how best to address the crisis in the state and the party's approach to regional autonomy, which could have long-lasting ramifications for its political standing in the Northeast.
While Chidambaram later deleted the post and issued a clarification, the damage had already been done. The controversy added to the internal disarray within Congress regarding its approach to the ongoing crisis in Manipur. Senior party leaders have called for unity in handling the issue, stressing that the focus should be on a peaceful resolution to the violence rather than stoking further conflict through divisive statements.
The dispute between Chidambaram and Ibobi Singh also highlights the delicate balancing act that the Congress party must navigate in addressing the sensitive issues of regional autonomy and ethnic strife in the Northeast. Any misstep by senior leaders could alienate key supporters and weaken the party’s influence in the region, particularly in Manipur, which has seen fluctuating political allegiance and significant shifts in party loyalty in recent years.