Manipur elections 2017: Irom Sharmila's PRJA raising money through crowdfunding to fight polls

Imphal: With severe shortage of funds and manpower, Irom Sharmila's party Peoples' Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) has taken to online crowdfunding to raise funds and campaigning on cycle to reach out to the masses.

PRJA is the first regional party in Manipur which has resorted to crowdfunding to finance the poll expenses in the state.

According to PRJA sources, online crowdfunding with a slogan "Ten For a Change" is an idea in order to involve more people, bring in transparency in election funding and reach out to the masses.

The PRJA so far has collected Rs 4.5 lakh through crowdfunding.

"The online crowdfunding is in line with the party's call for accountable governance. When we started the party there was a lot of need for funds. Online funds are transparent and normally political parties face a backlash because they don't have transparency in their funds," PRJA's convener, Erendro Leichonbam told PTI.

"We want to play a positive part in the politics of India, that's why we launched the crowd funding. From the beginning itself every single rupee is accounted for and we know who has donated it unlike others who don't disclose majority of their fund sources," he added.

Irom Sharmila, while briefing about the idea of online crowdfunding, said, "Online crowd-fund is also aimed at ending muscle and money power in elections. Our aim is to change the system for a better Manipur."

Erendo says, the iconic stature and acceptance of Irom across the country has helped the party in organising this programme.