Poll-pouri: Smriti Irani shakes a leg with Manipuri performers in Imphal during campaign

Union Minister Smriti Irani was busy soaking in Manipuri culture during her trip to Imphal on Friday.

The actress-turned-politician, who was campaigning for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Okram Henry Singh from the Wangkhei constituency, joined the locals for a traditional folk dance of the Rongmei community.

The Women and Child Development Minister performed Shim Lam, also known as the fly dance. She was seen spinning in circles and twirling her hands in the air as the BJP leaders cheered her.


The 45-year-old opted for a black saree with white print for campaigning.


Soon after, the video of Irani's traditional dance performance from Wangkhei area of Imphal East went viral.

Later she also enjoyed a traditional Manipuri meal with Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and other BJP leaders. The traditional meal includes steamed rice, kangsoi (vegetable stew), kanghou (stir-fried veggies), singju (vegetable salad), ooti (thick curry), nga atioba thongba (fish curry), morok metpa (spicy chutney) and eromba (mashed boiled veggies), which is served on banana or plantain leaves.


BJP's National General Secretary BL Santhosh called the traditional feast a 'once in a lifetime experience'.


Irani was campaigning ahead of the upcoming Assembly Elections in Manipur.

Later in the day, the former Textile Minister said that Manipur has consistently witnessed accelerated growth under the BJP government. She further appealed to the citizens of Lamsang & Wangkhei assembly constituencies to vote for BJP for continued progress and prosperity of the state.


The Assembly Elections will be held on February 28 (first phase) and March 5 (second phase). The votes will be counted and the winner will be declared on March 10.