Kolkata, July 21: After a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) is all set to hold its party’s mega Martyrs’ Day rally in Kolkata today. A day before the rally, the Chief Minister said that Martyrs’ Day rally will be against the Centre’s “authoritarian rule”.
“We are dedicating this rally to the martyrs and against the authoritarian rule of the Centre,” Banerjee said after visiting the venue to see for herself the preparations.
21st July is a sacrosanct day in the history of Bengal!
I offer my heartfelt tribute to the 13 martyrs who lost their lives owing to police brutalities in 1993.
This #ShahidDibas, let our voices be louder – we will not be cowed down by any force! For people, we'll give our all.
— Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) July 21, 2022
The party plans to make its annual rally a grand success. TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee claimed that around 20 lakh people will attend the programme.
Shri @abhishekaitc felicitated people who cycled from Jalpaiguri and Coochbehar to attend #ShahidDibas in Kolkata.
Highlights 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/TMIqgmGxKV
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 20, 2022
Heartwarming moments as our National General Secretary Shri @abhishekaitc interacts with enthusiastic supporters just ahead of #ShahidDibas 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/Co4gx0dTjR
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 20, 2022
Twelve heavy radio flying squads will be deployed, and an adequate number of PCR vans will patrol the city streets on Wednesday night. Many people will reach Kolkata by crossing the Hooghly River. Special DMG boats and divers will be deployed for their safety.
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Tight security arrangements will be in place for Trinamool Congress’ Martyrs’ Day rally in the Esplanade area of Kolkata on Thursday, police said.
21st July '22 is only a day away and as the preparations near completion, we are brimming with emotions.
For generations to come, the entire Trinamool Congress family will unite on every #ShahidDibas and pay heartfelt tribute to the martyrs. Your blood will never go in vain! pic.twitter.com/ZDUCChwIvv
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 20, 2022
A total of 4,500 police personnel will be deployed across the city, of whom 3,500 will be at the venue in the heart of the city.
Additional CCTVs have been installed there, a senior officer said. A tab will be kept on the movement of rally attendees towards the venue, and policemen in plainclothes will be posted at different entry points to the city.
According to TMC sources, the party is likely to announce at the rally its strategy for strengthening Opposition unity against BJP and its pan-India expansion plans.
TMC observes Martyrs’ Day on July 21 every year to commemorate the killing of 13 people in police firing on a Youth Congress rally against the then Left Front government in 1993 when Banerjee was the YC state president. She continues to observe the day even after she formed the Trinamool Congress in 1998 and came to power in 2011.
