Indira Oinam

Indira Oinam (, born 1 February 1975) is an Indian social activist and politician from Manipur. She is known for her work in women empowerment and child welfare, as well as her involvement in Manipur politics. Oinam has been associated with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC) at different times in her career. She is the Secretary of the Women's Income Generation Centre (WIGC) in Thoubal, Manipur. The centre provides:

Skill training and vocational courses Support for handloom and handicraft workers Micro-finance through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) Shelter and education for destitute women and children

Major projects and programmes

Some projects under Oinam's leadership include:

Vocational Training Courses for handloom and handicrafts Swadhar Shelter Home with helpline services Working Women Hostel with Day Care Centre Ashram for Working Children in Chandel District Training for Self-Help Groups and micro-loan facilities through SBI Campaigns against human trafficking Agasti Cultural Academy and Agasti Creative Bal Bhavan Environmental projects on medicinal plants Stree Udhyami Award (2016) – for contribution to women empowerment

Political career Entry into politics

Driven by her interest in social service, Oinam joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She contested the 2012 Manipur Assembly Election against Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh from the Thoubal constituency but lost by a narrow margin. Despite the defeat, her campaign helped strengthen BJP's presence in Manipur.

2016 protest and party ticket issue

In May 2016, Oinam's supporters protested at the BJP office in Imphal after her name was not included in the list of candidates for the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat. Her supporters demanded the resignation of state party president Chaoba Thounaojam, alleging bias. Oinam claimed that her contributions, including her efforts during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Imphal, had been overlooked.

Oinam stated that she joined Congress because of its inclusive principles and her belief that the party would continue to form the government in Manipur.