Imphal, Feb. 4: Manipur’s iconic activist Irom Chanu Sharmila’s newly floated party People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA)’s election symbol will be ‘whistle.’ Confirming that the Election Commission of India has approved ‘whistle’ as their party symbol in the ensuing Manipur assembly polls on March 4 and 8 next, PRJA convener Erendro Leichombam, who will be contesting for Thangmeiband seat in Manipur’s Imphal West district said, ‘Whistle is symbolic for whistleblower, something that the party is. We will blow the whistle to ignite a peoples resurgence to fight for justice and also neutralise the psychological fear associated with the sound of the whistle (currently used by the Army deployed under AFSPA, and cops).’
Whistle is also symbolic to tell the corrupt in Manipur that their time is up, he added. The whistle is also a wake-up call for the youth of the land to take things in our own hands to transform into reality.
Erendro made the announcement while continuing his fourth open-mic interactive session for the youth as part of expanding the solidarity of youth to redefine politics at a popular restaurant here on Saturday afternoon which was attended by a small but responsive youth from across the state. Urging the youth to come forward and participate in the development of Manipur, Erendro in his two hour interactive session opined that “Action by youth will change Manipur.’
He also informed that PRJA will hold a ‘Resurgence Rally’ on February 19 to bring together the youth for “The change.” On Friday, many women folks turned up to hear the public address by Irom Sharmila at Moijing village. It may be mentioned here that Irom Sharmila decided to contest against the sitting Chief Minister from Thoubal constituency, after ending her 16-year long fast against Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
In October last year, Sharmila, 44, announced her decision to float a political front to continue her anti-AFSPA campaign in a different way in state capital Imphal after she broke her fast what is acknowledged as the world’s longest hunger strike – a marathon 16-year fast demanding repeal of the AFSPA.
