Imphal: The Trinamool Congress will contest in 48 of the 60 constituencies in the January 28 Manipur Assembly election.

The party's spokesman, Sourav Chakravarty, told PTI here that the party expected to strengthen its presence in the state by promising to withdraw the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

"This has been a long standing demand of the people," he said.

He said Mamata Banerjee in her public meeting in Imphal East district on January 25, would highlight the demand to withdraw the act.

He alleged that the Congress government had over the years neglected the people resulting in hardship with rising prices of essential items.

"But we have promised to provide a people-friendly government," he said.

"Our party is also aiming to end the insurgency problem by providing more employment opportunities to the youth," Chakravarty said.

He said frequent economic blockades had crippled the economy of the state and "we should ensure that the people are not deprived of their rights", he said.

PTI