By Chitra Ahanthem
Several analyses abound as to why Irom Sharmila, icon of the struggle against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, was trounced in the Assembly elections. Chitra Ahanthem explains why no one – man or woman – stood a chance against sitting chief minister, Okram Ibobi Singh. That Ibobi Singh, despite his party having won more seats, is set to be dethroned by the BJP which has staked its claim to form the government, is the other side of the story.
http://www.rediff.com/news/special/bjp-may-deny-ibobi-another-term-in-manipur/20170312.htm
Another astute analysis:
http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/were-you-dismayed-with-irom-sharmila-s-loss-in-manipur-elections-117031401088_1.html
Another, sobering perspective on what Irom Sharmila’s electoral experience means:
https://thewire.in/116766/irom-sharmila-immorality-ninety/
An important perspective on Irom Sharmila’s electoral experience: “By voting the way they did, the constituents of Thoubal have posed a question not just to themselves but to all of us: are we willing to give idealism a chance or have we forgotten how to dream?”
https://thewire.in/116766/irom-sharmila-immorality-ninety/
In “A defeat foretold” Pradip Phanjoubam says that no one doubts Irom Sharmila’s heroic resistance to AFSPA. But somewhere, she lost her bearings, confused moral strength with temporal power.
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/irom-sharmila-afspa-manipur-elections-ibobi-singh-4576612/