The iron lady of Manipur, Irom Sharmila alleged that the BJP offered her a ticket and Rs 36 Cr to contest against Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh in the upcoming assembly elections in March. Sharmila, who ended her 16-year-long hunger strike in August last year and declared her entry into politics, however, declined the offer and said she wanted to contest as an independent.
In an interview to NDTV, Sharmila said, “I was approached by the BJP to fight on their ticket in this election. Their suggestion was that to fight Ibobi, I will need Rs 36 crore. If I have it, I should produce it, if not, the Centre would sanction it… I said I will contest the elections as an Independent. I don’t criticise other political parties. I just want to bring a change in society.”
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However, BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav termed Sharmila’s claim as an “absolute lie” and said his party’s entire election campaign cost in Manipur doesn’t cost that much.
Sharmila has told a newspaper that she would talk about the issue on Monday in a press conference.
While announcing the launch of her political party, People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance ( PRJA), in October last year, the crusader against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) had said that she would contest from two constituencies – Thoubal, Chief Minister Ibobi’s constituency, and Khurai, her home constituency.
Earlier, speculation was rife about her joining hands with Aam Admi Party after she met AAP leader and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal made news after meeting AAP leader and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. She had also said that she wanted to meet Prime Minister Modi to take his advice.
