Manipur Elections 2017: Will Irom Chanu ​Sharmila, the ‘Iron Lady’, be able to prove her prowess?

When Irom Chanu Sharmila ended her 16-year-long fast last year, many thought her goal to seek the removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has changed.

The Manipuri activist, who had been an international icon for her crusade against the controversial AFSPA, did not waste much time in exhibiting her desire to become Chief Minister to further her demand. Unhappy with her decision, Sharmila’s friends, supporters and even her family members did not back the 44-year-old activist’s decision to end her fast.

However, with the steadfastness Sharmila resisted eating for 16 long years despite authorities’ umpteen efforts, the activist showed her resolute in a similar way to stand by her decision.

Last year, Sharmila met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and sought his advice on how to defeat “major political parties” in her state. Notably, Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party had stunned the political pundits by defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party and Indian National Congress in 2014 and 2015 Delhi Assembly Elections.

Her meeting with Kejriwal sparked rumours that she might join the AAP. However, Sharmila later formed People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) party to contest the upcoming Assembly Elections.

It is interesting to note that Sharmila is replicating the path Kejriwal had taken to defeat Congress` three-time chief minister Sheila Dikshit in Delhi. Kejriwal had chosen Dikshit’s constituency to test his political fate. Likewise, Sharmila has also announced her candidature from the Thoubal constituency seat, which is held by Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh since 2006.

Like Kejriwal, Sharmila has made a team of volunteers, who is taking the help of Internet to take its campaign to voters.

The motto of her party is to ensure clean and transparent politics. She also wants to completely transform the way elections are fought in Manipur. If voted to power, her party vows to deal with the issues like AFSPA, corruption, divisive politics, and unemployment.

With no political backing, Sharmila and other members of her new PRJA party are raising money for fighting the polls through crowd-funding.

However, it will be far-fetched to say that PRJA can become AAP of Manipur. Sharmila’s party is projecting only 20 candidates for 60-member House. Also, it has failed to replicate the aggressive campaigning done by the AAP on the streets of Delhi.

Despite her recognition and fame, Sharmila appears to have failed to generate much interest among voters. Her party’s agenda to remove AFSPA finds no resonance among voters in Manipur, as suggested by a poll conducted in late 2016.

However, Sharmila’s presence in the political arena will give a chance to those who want to cast their ballots to bring `change`.

The PRJA, meanwhile, will also be remembered for fielding the Muslim woman candidate in the electoral history of Manipur. Najma Phundreimayum, a veteran women’s rights activist of Manipur, will be contesting from Wabagai.

Moreover, it will be interesting to see if Kejriwal has been able to pass on his gyan to take on major political parties to Manipur’s political novice.

(The Manipur Elections 2017 will be held in two phases - March 4 and March 8.)