Sharmila seeks tips in politics from Kejri

NEWDELHI: Human rights activist Irom Sharmila, who recently broke her 16-year long hunger strike to fight the polls, met Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and sought his advice on ways to defeat major political parties.

Sharmila sat on the fast against Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) on November 2, 2000, and broke it on August 9, 2016. She said she will contest the Manipur assembly elections next year.

In a 45-minute long meeting, Kejriwal assured Sharmila his full support and best wishes.

“Met Irom Sharmila. I salute her courage and struggle. My best wishes and full support in her political endeavours,” Kejriwal tweeted after the meeting.

Sharmila also met deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.

“She has expressed her decision to fight the upcoming assembly polls in Manipur. For that she wanted the CM’s advice on defeating major political parties as AAP has done the same in Delhi,” an official said.

Officials said that she discussed political strategies involved in forming a party and ways to win elections. “As she wants to do the same in her state, she wanted to understand the strategies for winning elections,” the official said.

Sharmila did not talk to media after the meeting and said that she will give a statement later.

Sharmila had said that she wants to become the CM of Manipur so that she could fight for repeal of AFSPA. HTC