Manipur Assembly poll result: With just 90 votes, Irom Sharmila loses to CM Ibobi

Imphal: Human rights activist Irom Sharmila, who broke her 16-year long fast demanding repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act on August 9 and later launched her party to contest the Assembly elections in Manipur, suffered an embarrassing defeat with just 90 votes.

Around 143 people chose NOTA, more than the votes secured by Sharmila.

The 44-year-old rights activist, who had launched People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA), had contested the Assembly polls from Thoubal Assembly against three-time Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

The 'Iron Lady' had earlier on Saturday said that in case of her defeat she will try again in the 2019 general elections.

"I do not feel much affected by the result. It depends upon the people's mindset. I don't feel much affected by it, because people can still change their minds and everybody knows muscle and money power is being openly used by parties," Sharmila had told ANI.

PRJA, with whistle as the party symbol, had contested the Manipur Assembly elections from a total of five seats. A former aide of political strategist Prashant Kishor and a Harvard graduate were the core members of her party.

Breaking her fast in August last year, Sharmila had declared that she wants to become the chief minister so that she could press for repeal of the contentious AFSPA.

While launching her party PRJA in October last year, she had said she would contest from two seats – Thoubal and Khurai, which is her home constituency. However, she contested only from Thoubal.