IMPHAL, OCTOBER 18: Human rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila who recently ended the world’s longest hunger strike demanding repeal of Armed Forces Special Power Act 1958, launched a new political party - Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) - to bring a change in Manipur on Tuesday.
Accompanied by her supporters mostly university students, the 44-year-old activist, also known as ‘Iron Lady of Manipur’, launched the new party at a crowded press conference in Manipur Press Club in Imphal this afternoon. She said her movement is to bring the real meaning of democracy where right to justice is delivered.
On the forming of the new political party which has four founding principles based on justice, understanding, love and peace, Sharmila reiterated that she has taken up the new approach to achieve her goal.
Now with the forming of the new party, Sharmila will be contesting from two assembly constituencies –Khurai and Khangabok. On being asked why she chose the two constituencies, she said she wanted to work for the people’s cause.
Khangabok is the home constituency of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, the longest serving Chief Minister in the state while Khurai is Sharmila’s native constituency.
Responding to a question, she said her new party will field around 20 candidates in the upcoming polls. But so far three candidates have confirmed to contest (including Sharmila) from four assembly constituencies.
Convenor of PRJA Erendro Leichonbam who will be contesting from Thangmeiband constituency in the heart of Imphal town said the other candidate of the party is social worker Phundreimayum Najima of Santhel village who would be the first ever Muslim lady contesting in assembly elections from Wabagai constituency.
Regarding their elections campaign, Erendro, an associate professor of economics in a private institute said , “We want to set an example of electoral politics in the country. So we will conduct a survey and take help and cooperation from the general public for their campaigns.”
