West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee addresses the Shaheed Diwas rally in Kolkata on Thursday. (Express Photo: Partha Paul)TMC Rally Today, Martyrs Day 21 July Updates: After a two-year break due to Covid-19, it is the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) most important annual event today — the Shaheed Diwas (Martyrs’ Day) rally in the heart of Kolkata. The rally is crucial to the TMC because its chairperson and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee uses the platform to set the party’s roadmap for the next 12 months and, over the years, important leaders from other parties have joined it on the Shaheed Diwas stage.
This time speculation is rife about more defectors from the BJP joining the ruling party at the Shaheed Diwas stage. That will further weaken the Opposition. Mamata Banerjee, party insiders said, was likely to set the tone for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and address the allegation that the party took a step back in the presidential and vice-presidential poll after initially taking the initiative to field Yashwant Sinha as the Opposition’s joint candidate for the presidential election.
As TMC workers from different parts of the state descend on Kolkata, the party is expecting a record crowd to turn up in Dharmatala — the only time it was held in a different place was in 2011 at the Brigade Parade Ground after the TMC came to power by unseating the Left — and the police have mobilised 3,000 of its personnel apart from 1,000 traffic policemen to control the crowd. Many stadiums have been readied to accommodate the visiting TMC workers and on Thursday traffic on almost.
CM Mamata Banerjee enjoys a cup of tea while overseeing preparations for the rally. (Express Photo: Partha Paul)
The BJP believes that its recent success in overthrowing governments justifies trying to do the same in Bengal.
The ROYAL BENGAL TIGER is there for Bengal though, says Mamta Banerjee. No malevolent power will be able to flourish in the state.
"The 13 heroic souls who lost their lives for us on this day in 1993 are mourned by the whole Trinamool Congress family", TMC
The All India Trinamool Congress party tweeted stating that Bengal has experienced enormous development and success under the inspirational leadership of the Hon'ble Chairperson Mamata Banerjee.
They also assured that the journey toward good governance shall be unimpeded in the coming days.
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, while laying down a roadmap for the party for the Lok Sabha polls during her speech at the Shaheed Diwas (Martyrs’ Day) rally, said that the 2024 election will be one to reject the BJP’s divisive policies. “Break the shackles of the BJP-led government and its monumental incompetence. Install a pro-people government,” she told the crowd in Kolkata.
Braving the rain, as thousands of TMC supporters attended the annual event of the Trinamool Congress, the CM continued her attack on the Narendra Modi-led Central government. “The BJP is a party who uses the ED, CBI and other probe agencies to further its own agenda because they are spineless. However, the TMC has the spine to take them on as we are not afraid of them. In 2024, when the BJP fails to form a majority, the Opposition parties have to come together to set up the next government,” she said. Read More
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, while laying the roadmap for the party, said: “I want only one secular party to remain in the country and that will be the Trinamool Congress. The BJP will not get a majority in 2024 and when that happens, all the Opposition parties will have to be united and form the government. However, it is my belief, that we will come on top when that happens.”
The BJP government at the Centre has sold everything — Air India, Coal India, Railways. All they have done is sell every aspect of the country because they have no idea how difficult attaining Independence was. And now, with the Agnipath scheme, they want to do the same with the Indian Army, the CM said.
Continuing her jibe against the Narendra Modi-led government, Mamata Banerjee said: “Look at the cost of LPG cylinders now. Look at fuel prices. Not only that, they are also diluting the Indian Army through the Agnipath scheme. It is nothing but an attempt to create a cadre for their party. There is no need to have a government which increases prices of fuel and LPG cylinders.”
Hitting out at the Centre over the revised GST rates, Mamata Banerjee, while showing puffed rice, said: “There is GST on the smallest of items nowadays. What are people supposed to eat? We are simple people who eat simple food and the BJP is even taking that away from us. Not only that, look at where the rupee stands now. The BJP has destroyed the economy and social fabric of the country.”
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The Centre has also recognised that Bengal tops when it comes to development in the agrarian sector. We have ensured development on all fronts — from setting up IT hubs to making roads across the state. Whenever we try going ahead with developmental work, the BJP simply comes forth with its own agendas, trying to stop us. However, remember, they will never be able to stop me and my party, the Chief Minister said.
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, hitting out at the Opposition parties, said: “The BJP and CPI (M) were very happy seeing the rains. But I want to tell them, that even the Gods are with the TMC. The sun is shining bright, just like our future. I want to remind the BJP, who are trying to break governments across states, the result of the 2021 Assembly polls.”
Starting her address, Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said: “We have the ability to fight. We have the spine to take on the BJP. They have the ED, CBI and other agencies as their allies. The people of India will oust the BJP in 2024.”
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is expected to give an important speech at her party’s annual Martyrs’ Day (Shahid Dibas) rally on Thursday (July 21) in Kolkata. Mamata could lay out the TMC’s political roadmap for the next two years leading up to the Lok Sabha elections of 2024. The July 21 rally holds immense significance for the TMC and especially for Mamata, not only as a political event but also as a way to gauge the passion of her party leaders and workers, and the strength of the party organisation in West Bengal. Read More
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has reached the venue and despite torrential rain, the spirit of the gathering has not been dampened. She received a rousing reception from the crowd as she made way to the dias to begin her speech
Sounding the poll bugle for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Abhishek Banerjee said, “TMC will ensure that Bengal regains its lost pride. Whatever be the Opposition, Mamata Banerjee will roll past everything and our eyes are set for the 2024 polls. People of Bengal will not have to depend on funds from the Central government. In the days to come, the TMC government will entirely fund the 100 days’ work scheme under MGNREGA.”
Slamming the leaders who have jumped ship to join the BJP, Abhishek Banerjee said, “There is no place for gaddars and traitors in TMC. You have to be dedicated. You have to be with the people. This is not the place where you further your own interests. The party's interest and the interest of the people should be everyone's priority.”
Hitting out at the Narendra Modi-led government, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said: “Bengal has been neglected by the Centre because the BJP could not establish its foothold in the state. Thousands of crore worth of funds have been stopped by the Centre but remember, the TMC and Mamata Banerjee will never bow in front of a corrupt government. Don’t worry, the CM stands with you and she will ensure all-round development.”
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee takes the stage, says this year's turnout at the rally has broken all previous records. “The rain has failed to dampen the spirit of the rally. Trinamool Congress is a party which has been able to enter various states like Tripura, Assam and Goa. I pledge that I will ensure that I will help this party reach every nook and corner of the country.”
Setting the stage for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim said: “Our fight is not over. The state polls was not the end. The time has come that the BJP is ousted from power. Bhag BJP, bhag (Go BJP, go). CM Mamata Banerjee has shown what development looks like. All that the BJP has done is try to divide the people of Bengal. If one wants to see inclusivity and development, one should come to Bengal.”
As it started pouring in Kolkata, West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee said: “Rain and the TMC's July 21 meeting are the best of partners. We are waiting for Mamata Banerjee to reach the venue as she will lay out the roadmap for the party and the young generation.”
“The Chief Minister of West Bengal is a role model for the country. Despite being on a wheelchair, she has been able to defeat the force and might of the BJP during the Assembly polls. It is without a doubt that there is no one stronger than her in the field of politics in today’s India. She has fought for the people of Bengal and ensured victory alongside development,” the senior TMC leader said.