Kolkata: At a time when the Trinamool Congress is plagued with internal conflicts, party supremo Mamata Banerjee has called for a gathering in Kolkata on July 21 to hold its annual Martyrs’ Day rally.
On the call of North Kolkata Trinamool District President Kunal Ghosh, a pro-Mamata Trinamool meeting was held at Rammohan Library on Thursday. There, Mamata spoke to party workers present via Kunal’s phone for 12 minutes and called for a gathering on July 21.
Mamata Banerjee said she hopes to receive permission on July 21, and they will hold a meeting that day. She added that she will share the details on that day, and even if there are five workers, she will be in that meeting. She called upon everyone to gather on that day.
A public interest litigation (PIL) has already been filed in the Calcutta High Court, drawing attention to the fact that Trinamool’s Martyrs’ Day meeting was held on July 21, 2018, in violation of the High Court’s order. In view of this, the court has ordered notices to be sent to Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
In the meantime, Mamata Banerjee called for preparations for the July 21 rally for the first time after being ousted from power in the state. According to many in political circles, even though she said this at the North Kolkata committee meeting, Mamata actually wanted to send a message to party workers across the entire state organisation to stand united.
The Trinamool Congress holds its annual ‘Martyrs’ Day’ rally in Kolkata on July 21. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee addresses a public meeting during the rally to commemorate the 13 people who were killed during a demonstration by the West Bengal Youth Congress, then led by Mamata Banerjee, on July 21, 1993.
When the Trinamool was in the opposition during the Left Front era, there were large gatherings on July 21 at Mamata’s call. But after a decade and a half in power, now the opposition Trinamool is apparently in a state of disarray.
As a result, it remains to be seen what the gathering will be like on July 21 at Mamata’s call. Even if the leaders distance themselves from Mamata Banerjee, it remains to be seen whether Mamata Banerjee’s emotion still works among Trinamool workers.
On the one hand, Mamata spoke about the change of leadership in the camp, and on the other hand, she addressed the attack on her party workers. She also mentioned the ‘attack’ on her family.
Mamata said some people have been dishonest to save themselves and their families, and questioned whether, if one is raised by their mother, they would not look after her when she is sick. As soon as Mamata said this, the Rammohan Library erupted in applause.
Mamata also gave a message to the party’s rebel camp in Parliament and in the state Assembly, saying that those with common sense should return, and those who think they will continue like this will be neither here nor there.
The Trinamool leader also raised the issue of Abhishek Banerjee being summoned by the Enforcement Directorate and the state’s Criminal Investigation Department, and of going to court on every issue.
Mamata said, “Imagine what is happening to their family, adding that she has already thrown out her two brothers.” She said not everyone is equal in all families, but Abhishek’s parents live with her, and today Abhishek has to go to court regularly while CID and ED are calling him every day.
It is worth mentioning that Uluberia Purba MLA Ritabrata Banerjee has led the way in breaking up the Trinamool Congress in the state Assembly.
With the support of over 60 MLAs, Ritabrata Banerjee is now the Leader of the Opposition. Without naming him, Mamata also attacked Ritabrata, saying there is a BJP-sponsored CPIM leader and that the CPIM did one good thing by expelling him from the party.
(IANS)
