The Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the rebel faction on Saturday wrote to Kolkata Police seeking permission to hold the Shaheed Dibas rally on July 21.
“The TMC has written to Kolkata Police seeking permission to monitor Shaheed Dibas on July 21 in front of Victoria House, just as the party has been monitoring for decades,” a senior TMC leader said.
The TMC organizes a huge rally every year on the Esplanade, the heart of the city, to pay tribute to the 13 Congress youth who were killed in the police firing in the city on July 21, 1993.
The incident marked a major turning point in the political career of TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, who was then the leader of the Youth Congress.
Every year Banerjee addresses the rally on July 21, which is attended by a large number of TMC supporters who come from all over the state.
“The party will celebrate July 21 regardless of administrative restrictions and will hold its program even if permission for the traditional stage is denied. If necessary, the program will be conducted by a gypsy using a microphone, but the event will not be cancelled. The administration can try to restrict transportation, including trains, buses and other roads, to prevent party supporters from attending the program. But July 21 will definitely be held under any circumstances,” TMC MP Mahua Moitra said.
Meanwhile, the rebel faction led by ousted TMC leader Ritabrata Banerjee held a meeting on Saturday with members of the recently dissolved TMC board of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. The meeting was held with the symbol of TMC but without any picture of Banerjee.
“Martyr’s Day on July 21 is an emotion for every TMC worker and leader. Former film stars and celebrities took center stage on Martyr’s Day while the families of the victims were sitting in the back row. This year, when we celebrate July 21, the families will get due respect. We are the TMC and are making all preparations for the day. Our first option is to hold a rally in front of Victoria House,” said the TMC MLA from Raghunathganj who has joined the rebel faction.
