NEW DELHI: Reacting to Manipur activists Irom Sharmila’s claims, BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav tweeted: “Absolute lie. Our entire election campaign in Manipur doesn’t cost that much. She should find respectable ways of fighting elections.”
In an interview, Sharmila had said that the saffron party had offered her Rs 36 crore to contest the state assembly elections against Chief Minister Ibobi Singh.
She 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 36 crores. If I have it, I should produce it, if not the center would sanction it. On that condition, I said I will stand for elections as an independent. I don’t criticize other political parties. I just want to bring a change in the society. I want to bring the right to justice to all and ensure that the draconian AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) is withdrawn.”
However, Sharmila is going to contest the state elections against Manipur Chief Minister and Congress candidate Okram Ibobi Singh from Thoubal constituency in the Assembly elections to be held on February 15.
The 44-year-old Iron Lady was on fast for nearly 16 years in protest against the Armed Forces (Special Powers). She ended her epic hunger strike on August 9 last year. She also declared that she wants to become the chief minister so that she could press for repeal of the contentious AFSPA.
While launching her party ‘People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance’ (PRJA) in October last year, Sharmila had said she would contest from two seats – Thoubal and Khurai. While she belongs to Khurai, Thoubal is the Assembly constituency of the chief minister.