Mamata Dominates Martyrs’ Day Event, Rebels Struggle As Cong Springs Surprise

The July 21 Martyrs’ Day event across Kolkata exposed the deepening cracks within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) ever since the Suvendu Adhikari-led BJP government assumed office in West Bengal. While former chief minister Mamata Banerjee managed to draw a large crowd, rival TMC factions failed to match the turnout. The Congress emerged as the surprise performer with a massive mobilisation. Mamata’s rally near the Birla Planetarium drew thousands of supporters, with crowds spilling onto adjoining roads through the afternoon. In contrast, the rebel TMC camp led by LoP Ritabrata Banerjee attracted a comparatively smaller gathering. In New Delhi, another breakaway faction comprising 20 Lok Sabha MPs led by Sudip Banerjee and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, now merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), observed the day at Rajghat. The annual event commemorates the 13 Youth Congress workers killed in police firing during a march to the then Writers’ Building in 1993. For nearly two decades after the TMC came to power, the programme remained among Kolkata’s largest political mobilisations. This year, however, the observance was split across venues after prohibitory orders barred a gathering at Central Business district of Kolkata. The Calcutta High Court subsequently permitted the TMC to hold its programme near the Birla Planetarium, while the Ritabrata faction was allotted space near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Maidan and the Congress assembled at Shahid Minar. Addressing supporters, Mamata reaffirmed her commitment to the Opposition INDIA bloc while attacking the BJP and rebel leaders. The rebel camp sharpened its attack on Mamata’s nephew, Abhishek Banerjee. Former ministers Madan Mitra and Firhad Hakim claimed Abhishek’s political stature was built by lakhs of Trinamool workers and urged Mamata to “hold the hands of grassroots workers” instead of her nephew. The Congress rally at Shahid Minar also drew thousands from across the state. Former MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury described the turnout as evidence of the party’s revival.