Activist Irom Sharmila meets Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, seeks tips on contesting election in Manipur

New Delhi: Rights activist Irom Sharmila, who had expressed her desire to contest Manipur Assembly election next year, on Monday met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and sought his advice on how to defeat "major political parties" in her state. During the 45-minutes-long meeting at Delhi Secretariat, Kejriwal assured her of all possible support for fighting the election. "In the meeting, she sought the Chief Minister's advice on defeating major political parties in Manipur which is scheduled to go for polls next year," an official said. She also discussed political strategy with the chief minister and sought to know how he registered such a remarkable victory in Delhi, the official said. Sharmila also met Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Although she did not talk to the media after the meeting, sources said she also took suggestions on other issues related to Manipur. On August 9, the 44-year-old 'Iron Lady' broke her 16-year-old hunger strike, the world's longest such campaign, and declared that she wants to become the chief minister so that she could press for repeal of the contentious Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Sharmila has already announced that she would soon float a new regional party under the banner of which she will contest the polls.