Mamata Banerjee launches broadside against Congress led SPF Goverment
Lift AFSPA promise on Trinamool Congress chief's lip
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 25, 2012: Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has assured the people of the State that the controversial AFSPA will be repealed if her party is elected to power in the coming State Assembly election.

The West Bengal Chief Minister was speaking in an election meeting held at Langjing Achouba of Imphal West district during her one-day visit to the State today.

Addressing the election meeting, the Trinamool Congress Chairman said that she has given her assurance to Irom Sharmila during her brief meeting with the hunger striker in the security ward of JNIMS that Trinamool Congress would fight against AFSPA and would not give the consent to continue the draconian Act if voted to power.

"Army rule will not be allowed", she added.

Mamata however said that she loves the Army adding it is not their fault but the fault of the policy makers.

Saying that it must be kept in mind by policy decision making bodies that Army rule can't bring peace, Mamata Banerjee pointed out that violence in the State must be resolved through socio-economic and political means.

Maintaining that the TC led Government in West Bengal solved the problems of naxal-affected Jangalmahal within eight months, she expressed hope that her party would be able to solve the problems of Manipur as well.

West Bengal CM and TC leader Mamata Banerjee at reaches out to the people

Taking a dig at the Congress led SPF Government in Manipur, Mamta Banerjee asked why the present State Government is not able to bring development although the Centre is providing 90 per cent subsidy fund.

"Where have all these money gone?", she enquired.

Manipur must glitter like gold if all these money are properly implemented, she said and added that Manipur on the other hand is infested with poverty, underdevelopment, drug abuse and diseases like cancer, TB and AIDS.

As the present Government is not able to perform, she said, people must throw them out and a chance must be given to another party.

If voted to power, Mamata Banerjee promised, Trinamool Congress would give 100 per cent performance in repealing AFSPA, bringing development in the State, cutting down of human rights violation, emphasising on human resource development, boosting of tourism sector, women empowerment, solving youths' issues, welfare of media persons, promotion of Manipuri and tribal culture and protection of minorities.

Speaking her Government's achievements in West Bengal, she said, her government has increased the age limit of getting into Government jobs from 32 years to 40 years.

Her government also provides loans for children's education, SHG and minority loans.

Trinamool Congress is fielding its candidates in 48 Constituencies in the coming State Assembly elections.

Trinamool Congress General Secretary Mukul Roy, North East in-charge KD Singh, party skokesperson Derek O' Brien, party leader Saurav, State party president Kim Gangte and party candidates were present in the election meeting.