Imphal, Jan 13: As many as 16 candidates are contesting from 14 assembly constituencies for the Manipur’s 60-member Legislative Assembly elections slated for January 28, the first time in the political history of the State to participate by women in election fray in such a large number.
Oinam Indira, a BJP candidate who is lkely to be the close rival of the present chief minister Okram Ibobi in the fray in the chief minister’s stronghold Thoubal assembly constituency, told Newmai News Network that she had never dreamt of becoming a politician, albeit she has been working as a social activist for the last 16 years.
The 42-year-old said, “Her dream was to become a winner of Nobel prize in her life for Manipur. But suddenly my decision changed because of the wishes of elders of Thoubal who urged me to contest in the coming 10th Assembly polls.”
She said she has been working for the welfare and development of various women societies in the State for many years but decided to turn into politics according to the demand of the people of her constituency.
“There is no opposition in the Manipur Assembly and that women are not supporting women candidates. As a result of that few women candidates are willing to contest election,” Indira held. She also said women should not be afraid of being admist male candidates as the number of women voters are far more higher than men in the State.
Indira also said that in Manipur, women are often asked to confront any state of affairs, but the people forget them when the time for power comes up and that women are asked to engage and handle only the kitchen. (NNN)