No permission for Delhi rally, TMC says decision political

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Wednesday said that Delhi Police has denied it permission to hold a rally and demonstration programme in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on October 2 – the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Alleging that the decision of the Delhi Police was “political”, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said: “The ruling party of Bengal cannot be stopped by suppressing the voice of the Trinamool Congress in this way. This movement cannot be stopped in any way.” Ghosh said that the party wrote to Delhi Police on August 23, seeking permission for the October 2 dharna program at Ramlila Maidan. “A formal application was submitted by us to the Delhi Police, where it was said that October 2 is our main programme. We had applied to get Ramlila Maidan from September 30 to October 4. Delhi Police responded on August 28. They said that it was necessary to book in advance for this programme, and Ramlila Maidan could not be given to Bengal on that day,” Ghosh said.

“Delhi Police did not give us permission only for political reasons. Delhi Police took the decision under the BJP’s orders. We are strongly protesting this,” he said, adding “if the BJP thinks that the programme of the Trinamool Congress could be thwarted by suppressing the voice like this, then they are living in a fool’s paradise”.

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Earlier this month, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee had announced ‘Delhi Chalo’, saying the party would take to the streets of Delhi on October 2 to protest against the Centre government withholding the dues of the West Bengal government. TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was also said to take part in the programme.

“The voice of Bengal’s protest is being suppressed. This step has been taken to stop Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee from going on a dharna to demand Bengal’s fair dues, rightful money,” the Trinamool Congress leader said.