fter losing the assembly election against former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Manipur’s iron lady Irom Sharmila has landed in Kerala to “refresh” her mind in a tribal village in Palakkad district.
Irom celebrated her 45th birthday at the Santhigramam rehabilitation centre where her hosts prepared payasam (sweet dish) for her. Irom is accompanied by Najeema Beevi, the first Muslim woman from Manipur to contest an election.
Meanwhile, Malayalis on social media have offered a grand welcome to Irom. “Irom’s defeat in election doesn’t defeat her cause,” said CPI(M) politburo member MA Baby in a Facebook post while welcoming her to the state.
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“I am here to spend a few days in tranquillity. This break is necessary to reorient my future course of action,” Irom told The Hindu, adding, “Let the winds of Attappady refresh my mind.”
“My life hitherto was, in fact, an examination. The fast was its theory part and the election was its practicals,” she told the newspaper.
She will remain in Kerala until March 28. She told media that she would take a decision on her future course of action only after her return.
