On Day 2 of the debate on the no-confidence motion against the government, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a blistering attack against the BJP over the Manipur violence. In retaliation, Union minister Smriti Irani raked up several incidents of violence from the past, alleging failures of the previous Congress governments.

During the debate, Gandhi said the BJP’s politics had “murdered Bharat Mata” in Manipur, where more than 160 innocent lives have been lost since May 3.  He also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting Manipur and alleged that he does not consider the state to be part of India. Gandhi said that during his visit to Manipur, he met women and children at the relief camps.