Opposition members reacted strongly to remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, who criticised the newly-formed Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). The alliance leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, accused Modi of trying to distract from the ongoing crisis in Manipur. Kharge demanded Modi discuss the Manipur issue in Parliament and criticised his comparison of the alliance to negative entities, such as the East India Company. Gandhi vowed to rebuild the idea of India in Manipur. The Trinamool Congress challenged Modi to discuss the Manipur issue in Parliament, accusing him of trying to divert public attention. Over 160 lives have been lost in Manipur’s ethnic violence since May.