Human rights activist Irom Sharmila, also known as the ‘Iron Lady of Manipur’, today alleged that the BJP used money and muscle power in the just-concluded Assembly elections in the state.
According to a report in Times of India, Irom Sharmila said that the people of Manipur should realise that the BJP, which staked claim to form government in that state, had used money and muscle power in the Assembly polls.
Sharmila made these remarks speaking to media persons at the Coimbatore International Airport on her way to Attappadi in Palakkad district of Kerala.
She is planning to spend at least a month at a mediation centre in Attappadi.
Sharmila conceded that she was upset over the poll results and said that she wanted to be away from her home state for a while now.
The Iron Lady of Manipur, who fasted for 16-long years demanding the lifting of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state, could manage to get only 90 votes in just-concluded state Assembly elections.
The Congress, led by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, emerged as the single largest party in these elections closely followed by the BJP with 21 seats.
Both the BJP and the Congress have staked claims to form the next government in the state and the decision of the Governor Najma Hepatullah, in this regard, is still awaited.
