Amid intensifying internal divisions within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), party supremo Mamata Banerjee has called for a massive rally at Dharmatala on July 21. The call for the annual Martyrs’ Day event came during a workers’ meeting of the pro-Mamata faction, titled “Amra Beiman Noi” (We Are Not Traitors), held at Rammohan Library in North Kolkata on Thursday.
The meeting was convened by North Kolkata Trinamool District President Kunal Ghosh, during which Mamata addressed party workers over a 12-minute phone call.
“I hope we receive permission for the July 21 rally. That is the one day we hold a meeting. I will speak in detail on that day. Even if only five workers are present, I will still attend. You must gather on that day,” Mamata said, urging workers to turn up in large numbers.
Her call comes against a sensitive legal backdrop, as a public interest litigation has drawn the High Court’s attention to allegations that the July 21, 2018, rally was held in defiance of court orders. Notices have reportedly been issued to Mamata and TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee in connection with the matter.
Political observers believe that while the message was delivered at a district-level meeting, it was intended for the party organisation across the state. The July 21 rally, historically significant for the TMC, will now serve as a key test of Mamata’s continuing influence over grassroots workers as the party appears fragmented.
Even during its years in opposition against the Left Front, Mamata’s July 21 calls would draw massive crowds. However, after over a decade and a half in power and now facing internal dissent, the scale of this year’s turnout is being closely watched.
In her address, Mamata launched a sharp attack on defectors and rebel leaders.
“Some have committed betrayal to save themselves and their families. Your mother raised you, and now that she is ill, will you not look after her?” she said, drawing loud applause from the gathering.
Sending a stern warning to dissidents within the party’s legislative and parliamentary wings, she added, “Those who have the good sense should return. Those who think they can continue like this will end up belonging nowhere.”
The TMC chief also spoke about the personal strain her family is facing amid ongoing legal battles.
“Just imagine the storm our family is going through. Abhishek has to make rounds of the court almost every day; agencies summon him constantly,” she said, expressing frustration over the situation.
Without naming him directly, Mamata took aim at Ritabrata Banerjee, rebel TMC MLA from Uluberia East and a key figure in the recent split within the party’s legislative wing. “He is actually a BJP-sponsored CPM leader. However, the CPM did one good thing—they expelled him,” she remarked.
Follow us
