IMPHAL: Rights activist Irom Sharmila Chanu, who ended in August her 16-year long fast she undertook to demand repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from Manipur, on Tuesday formed a political party.
She said she would take on Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh in his constituency Thoubal in the Assembly polls next year.
The name of her party “People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance” was announced at the Johnstone Higher Secondary School.
On the day she had broken her fast, she had let known her desire to form a political party to contest the Assembly election.
Irendro Leichongbam will be the Convenor of the party and Sharmila, along with Phundreimayum Najima and James Mayengbam, will be the ad-hoc Convenors. Phundreoimayum Najima will contest in Wabagai, while Irendro Leichongbam will fight from Thangmeinband seat.
Interacting with the media, the 44-year-old activist sought the blessings of the people in her endeavour to enter active politics. Later, at the Manipur Press Club, she said she would contest the election from Thoubal and also from Khurai Assembly constituencies.
She said she wanted to tell the masses that she had the “guts” to challenge the chief minister himself in his own turf, but pointed out that her decision might not be appreciated by the electorates in that constituency.
Earlier, she met Delhi CMArvind Kejriwal and expressed her desire to meet PM Narendra Modi to take their advice on how to devise a strategy to contest the Assembly poll.
Sharmila had earlier said her sole agenda to contest the elections was to have the AFSPA repealed from Manipur. The party will project candidates in about 20 seats in the 60-member House. The party has not yet announced its symbol and register with the Election Commission. The formalities will be completed by next month. (PTI)
