Electoral defeat for Irom Sharmila

[asakiyume]

Irom Sharmila got just 90 votes in the election. When interviewed by K Sarojkumar Sharma of the Times of India, she said

"I knew it would be a very difficult task for me to fight a three-time chief minister in this election. I got 90 votes which I consider very precious ... Though I have been defeated, I'll continue to fight against the draconian [Armed Forces Special Powers] Act." (Source)

However, she won't be doing it through politics. "I will fight as a social activist," she said. (Source)

Good for her for trying politics, and good for her for deciding to take a different approach for now. Still cheering for you, Sharmila!

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

It seems typical for her that she cherishes those ninety votes. I hope that social activism will work better for her.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I hope so too. I'm just glad to see her out in the world.

[heliopausa.livejournal.com]

I'm flabbergasted - - I've just opened this up after reading a different report that said she was going to try again in 2019. This is what I get for being out of touch, and trying to get up to speed quickly!
Sorry for the incoherence - it's still not seven, and a long day looms. Thank you so much for posting this! The other (wrong) report was here:
http://thenortheasttoday.com/manipur-election-results-sharmila-loses-her-maiden-election-in-manipur/

Now I'll have to go and correct where I passed that one on!

I hope I'll have time to reply to your posts more sensibly soon. (Also - marriage seems to be being mentioned?)

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I saw that one too! At first I was going to make a post about how there were contradictory stories about her reaction to the defeat. But then there was video of her making the statements saying she didn't want to do politics anymore, and one story said that it had been before the results were in that she'd said she'd try again if she lost. I think the resounding defeat may have changed her mind.

No shame there, though (I know you agree with me on that point). She was completely new to politics and completely new to what the state of affairs in Manipur was, on the ground. If she does travel to southern India, she'll have a chance to experience life elsewhere in India, and that's bound to affect what she decides to do next.

Good luck with your work--I'm under the gun right now too...

[heliopausa.livejournal.com]

Then strength and solidarity to you.

No, certainly no shame for her attaching to electoral defeat. I'm sorry that it happened like that, because it will have felt like a (another?) rebuff from the people she's given so much to help, but the shame, if any, is not to her. I hope it works well for her in her next steps.

[yamamanama.livejournal.com]

It's good that she's going to keep at it.

It's bad that the BJP got any votes at all.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

She's in a retreat right now. I'm sure she's going to do something unusual and uniquely her, next.

[yamamanama.livejournal.com]

I hope so.

[amaebi.livejournal.com]

Successful politics comes through social movement.

Power to Irom Sharmila's elbow!

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Amen!

[xjenavivex.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the update.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

My pleasure!