In Manipur Elections, BJP's Tightrope Walk On Controversial Law AFSPA

In the 2017 election, Irom Sharmila after giving up her 16-year-long fast fought the state election with a call to repeal AFSPA, but she lost

Home Minister Amit Shah was in the northeast for the first time since last December's Nagaland firing incident and the violence that follow, which left 14 dead in Nagaland. That incident has brought the focus back on the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or AFSPA, with chief ministers in the northeast seeking withdrawal of the controversial law that give sweeping powers to the military.

Mr Shah campaigned in Manipur, where the opposition parties have made AFSPA a big issue. The Home Minister was, however, silent on AFSPA when he was in Manipur, where elections are being held in two phases.

Five years ago, human rights activist Irom Sharmila broke her long fast in protest against AFSPA and unsuccessfully contested the elections with a call to ensure AFSPA was removed. This time, the Nagaland incident has had a spill-over effect in the Manipur elections.

"We kept our promise of blockade- and bandh-mukt Manipur. I take pride in the fact that the Biren Singh government has transformed Manipur into path of peace. (Chief Minister) Biren Singh is a former footballer; he knows how to score a goal and also defend the goal post," Mr Shah said.