16 women candidates in fray
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, January 13, 2012: As many as 16 women candidates are contesting from 14 A/Cs for the Manipur's 60-member Legislative Assembly elections slated for January 28, the first time in the political history of the State to participate by women in election fray in such a large number.

Oinam Indira, a BJP candidate who is likely to be a close rival of the present CM Okram Ibobi in the fray in the chief minister's stronghold Thoubal A/C, told NNN that she has never dreamt of becoming a politician, and that she has been working as a social activist for the last 16 years.

The 42-year-old said, "Her dream was to become a winner of Nobel prize in her life for Manipur.

But suddenly my decision changed because of the wishes of elders of Thoubal who urged me to contest in the coming 10th Assembly polls".

She said she has been working for the welfare and development of various women societies in the State for many years but decided to turn to politics according to the demand of the people of her constituency.

"There is no opposition in the Manipur Assembly and that women are not supporting women candidates.

As a result of that few women candidates are willing to contest election," Indira held.

She also said women should not be afraid of being amidst male candidates as the number of women voters are far more higher than men in the State.

Indira also said that in Manipur, women are often asked to confront any state of affairs, but the people forget them when the time for power comes up and that women are asked to engage and handle only the kitchen.

In another round of interview with the agency, Waikhom Shyama, an Indian National Congress (INC) woman candidate contesting the polls from the Opposition leader and Manipur People's Party strongman Okram Joy bastion Langthabal constituency, said she is contesting the polls as the constituency has been deprived of development for a long time.

She said if elected, her first priority will be to face anything for the cause of women and that strong voice will be raised in the State Assembly for them.

Shyama also insisted that gun culture will not bring any type of solution, an apparent remark made over the current routine bombings and attacks on candidates, particularly the Congress in the State.

The 16 women candidates from different political parties who are all set to fight the general elections are AK Mirabai (19-Patsoi), Oinam Indira (31-Thoubal), Waikhom Shyama (20-Langthabal), Okram Landhoni (35-Khangabok), all INC candidates, and Th.Bidyalaxmi, Shiv Sena candidate (26-Bishnupur), M.Shakhileima, CPI candidate (18- Konthoujam), SS Olis, Independent candidate (41-Chandel), Y.Romola, CPI candidate (12-Keishamthong), Boutia Keishing (43-Phungyar), Nemcha Kipgen (50-Kangpokpi, Sumatibala Ningthoujam, all Manipur State Congress Partry (MSCP) candidates, and Ngaineikim (60-Singhat), Teresa Rimai (43-Pungyar) and Thianching (60-Singhat, all Independent candidates, and Naorem Ibema Devi, Trinamool Congress candidate (10-Uripok), L.Kshetrani Devi, Inqalab Vikas Dal candidate (11-Sagolband).

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