Irom Sharmila meets Arvind Kejriwal ahead of upcoming Manipur polls

Ahead of the upcoming Manipur polls, Manipur activist Irom Sharmila sought Arvind Kejriwal’s advice for battling against major political parties in next year's polls.

Written by: India.com News Desk

Updated: September 27, 2016, 11:20 AM IST

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New Delhi, Sep 26: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday met Manipuri activist Irom Sharmila in New Delhi. Ahead of the upcoming Manipur polls, Irom Sharmila sought Kejriwal’s advice for battling against major political parties in next year’s polls. As per reports by Indian Express, the Iron Lady wanted to know about Kejriwal’s strategy in the Delhi assembly polls. During the meeting, Irom asked Kejriwal how he used his strategies so effectively to fight against the Opposition parties.

Irom who is also known as the ‘Iron Lady’ is a civil rights activist, political activist, and poet from Manipur. She began a hunger strike against the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) on 2 November 2000 which she ended on 9 August 2016, after 16 years of fasting.

Met Irom Sharmila. I salute her courage and struggle. My best wishes and full support in her political endeavours pic.twitter.com/kNCNVcS5ub

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 26, 2016

Sharmila met the AAP chief for 45 minutes and held a discussion on wide range of issues and Kejriwal assured her of all possible support for fighting the election. It was reported that Sharmila also met Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. The 44-year-old iconic rights activist is all set to fight the upcoming Assembly polls in Manipur in 2017. “Yes, I want to become Chief Minister. If I am Chief Minister I can repeal the most unpopular AFSPA,” the activist told PTI emphatically  (ALSO READ: No change in decision to enter into politics: Irom Sharmila)

Kejriwal took to twitter and said, “Met Irom Sharmila. I salute her courage and struggle”. “My best wishes and full support in her political endeavours,” he added. It was also reported by Indian Express that Sharmila wanted to know how AAP managed to counter the Congress and the BJP. Party leaders said there is “no question” of Sharmila joining the AAP or becoming the party’s face in Manipur. The Manipur polls will coincide with those in Punjab and Goa, and AAP will be focusing on those states.