July 21 Rallies in Kolkata: Mamata Draws Large Crowd, Congress Surprises, Rebel Factions Falter
The annual July 21 Martyrs' Day commemorations in Kolkata on Sunday witnessed a splintered political landscape, with competing rallies by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), its breakaway factions, and the Congress party. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's rally near the Birla Planetarium drew a large turnout, while rebel TMC groups struggled to mobilise support. The Congress, however, surprised observers with a substantial gathering at the Shahid Minar grounds.
Martyrs' Day marks the deaths of 13 Youth Congress workers killed in police firing during a march to the Writers' Building in 1993. The event has historically been a major political mobilisation for the TMC since it came to power, often bringing central Kolkata to a standstill. This year, the Calcutta High Court allowed the TMC to hold its programme near the Birla Planetarium after prohibitory orders were imposed in Esplanade by Kolkata Police.
The rebel TMC faction led by Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Ritabrata Banerjee held its event near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Maidan, but saw a comparatively thin gathering. Meanwhile, another breakaway group comprising 20 Lok Sabha MPs led by Sudip Banerjee and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, now merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), observed Martyrs' Day at Rajghat in Delhi.
Addressing supporters, Mamata Banerjee invoked the Opposition INDIA bloc and criticised both the BJP and the rebel factions. She said, "I believe that those who have gathered here are the true wealth of Bengal. They are the greatest strength of our movement. Their commitment and courage cannot be measured by money or power. It is because of them that this movement continues to grow despite every challenge." She added, "No amount of intimidation, harassment, or political pressure can weaken our resolve. As long as the people remain united, no force will be able to stop our struggle." Referring to the recent showdown in Delhi, she said, "Recent events in Delhi have shown how quickly situations can escalate during political confrontations. If injustice and intimidation continue, our movement will remain on the streets."
Mamata reiterated her commitment to the INDIA bloc, stating, "On Rabindra Jayanti, I made it clear that I have no personal ego or bitterness towards anyone. Across India, we fight together as part of the INDIA bloc, and we do the same in Bengal." Without naming individuals, she targeted former party colleagues: "I want to tell those who have spent years in the TMC and later changed their stand that one day every mask will come off. Many have left because of the fear of agencies. Around 40,000 cases have been registered against our party workers. It is unprecedented."
The split in commemorations highlights the ongoing factionalism within the TMC since the 2021 assembly elections, when the party lost power to the BJP-led government. The Congress's strong showing suggests a potential revival in the state's political dynamics. Observers noted that the competing events offered a glimpse into the shifting allegiances and voter sentiment ahead of future elections.
