IMPHAL: West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday met Manipur's 'Iron lady' Irom Sharmila Chanu and promised her that if Trinamool Congress (TMC) comes to power in the state, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) will be withdrawn.

After landing at Imphal airport at 1.50 pm, Mamata drove straight to J N Hospital, where Sharmila is being forcibly fed through the nose for the past 11 years. "We recognize your struggle and your plight. I want Manipur to smile. If TMC comes to power, we will remove AFSPA," Mamata told Sharmila. The Iron Lady has been on a fast demanding the repeal of AFSPA from the state for over a decade now. Sharmila told Mamata that AFSPA is a draconian law and she will continue her fast till it is withdrawn from Manipur.

Later, addressing TMC's election rally at Langjing Achouba ground in Imphal West, Mamata became the first prominent leader who seriously sought votes on the AFSPA issue. "If Trinamool forms the next government, we will not allow any Army rule in Manipur. I love Army, but I am against policies making wrong use of the Army. Army rule cannot continue for so long. We need peace and for that a concrete political policy is needed," she said, amid applause by 10,000 Trinamool supporters.

By raising the point of lifting the act, which gives absolute powers to armed forces personnel, Mamata has joined the anti-AFSPA campaign despite UPA-II government's non-committal stand on the act. TMC is a key ally in the UPA-II government. The Centre has been unable to lift or amend the act due to stiff opposition by the defence ministry, though the home ministry has trying to find a consensus in bringing some amendment to the act.

Launching an attack against the ruling Congress-CPI government, Mamata said, "If the ruling parties cannot perform, it's time now to throw them out and give a chance to another party."

She said she had last visited Manipur 10 years ago and said the state is now in a horrible condition. "I don't understand why the government has failed to deliver. Manipur has got 90 per cent subsidy from the Centre," she said. In a people-connect bid, Mamata began her speech with a few lines in Manipuri, "Nungshijara-ba praja, echil-enao, Trinamool Congress ta vote pibiyu, vote at Lei and Napi (My beloved people, brothers and sisters, please vote for Trinamool Congress on the flower and grass symbol)."

Highlighting her achievements in West Bengal during the last eight months, she said her government has released many prisoners from jail including KLO militants. "We have allocated a development package for Jungle Mahal," Mamata said, clearly indicating her seriousness to tackle the insurgency problem in Manipur. Trying to woo militants and their families, she said, "We will also release all political prisoners in Manipur, if elected to power. If Darjeeling can smile now, Manipur should also smile," she said.

Trinamool is fielding 47 candidates in this assembly election and is considered a dark horse. Mamata's rally is all set to boost the morale of the party, which at present does not have any prominent political figure in the state. Many Manipur TMC members are young and include former student leaders. "I want a green Manipur. Green depicts peace, development and progress," she said.

She highlighted Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Imphal campaign and reminded that Netaji's INA hoisted the national Tricolour for the first time on Indian soil at Moirang in Manipur.