TMC Martyrs’ Day Rally Highlights: 2024 will not be a vote for election, but one for rejection, says CM Mamata Banerjee

"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 entire Trinamool Congress family mourns the demise of the 13 great souls who gave up their lives for us, on this day in 1993.

Today, we came together under the leadership of our Hon'ble Chairperson @MamataOfficial to honour the martyrs.

Few glimpses from the day ? pic.twitter.com/bLmTEQISO7

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 21, 2022

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.

Under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Chairperson @MamataOfficial, Bengal has seen immense progress and development.

In the days to come we shall ensure that this journey of GOOD GOVERNANCE remains unhindered.#ShahidDibas pic.twitter.com/4fjkn4qaGg

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 21, 2022

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.

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.”

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.”

Our National General Secretary Shri @abhishekaitc offered his heartfelt tribute to the 13 martyrs on #ShahidDibas. pic.twitter.com/0fbinATBI4

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 21, 2022

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.

From across the state, crossing all hurdles, people have gathered to join our Hon'ble Chairperson @MamataOfficial in paying tribute to the 13 innocent lives that were lost on 21st July 1993...#ShahidDibas pic.twitter.com/ZefeeaumBY

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 21, 2022

Senior leader Shatrugan Sinha, while addressing the rally, said: “I would like to thank all those people who have turned up here. There’s a lot of life in this rally. People have turned up for the tigress of Bengal who has taken Bengal to new heights.”

https://t.co/AnVIIFxMbH

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 21, 2022

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee reaches the July 21 Martyrs’ Day rally venue and pays tribute to the 13 youth Congress workers who were killed in police firing in 1993. Addressing the workers, TMC MP Sougata Roy said, “The BJP had claimed that they would win over 200 seats in the 2021 state Assembly polls. However, they failed to even cross the 100-seat mark. We have won the state elections last year, but the real fight is for Delhi.”

Presiding over the rally, TMC MP Sougata Roy said, “This area is holy place. It is here, in front of the legendary KC Das sweet shop, that TMC supporter Murari Chakraborty was killed in police firing... That is why Mamata Banerjee never changed this venue...” Speaking about the plans for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he added: “We defeated the BJP in 2021 but the fight has not ended. We have to oust the BJP from Centre in 2024...”

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is expecting to break its turnout record at today’s rally. The rally will officially start at 12 noon and CM Mamata Banerjee is expected to reach the venue at around 12.30pm. Over two lakh people have already gathered at Esplanade and more people are pouring in. Almost all roads of Central Kolkata remain blocked because of the rally as supporters are seen gathering on the roads from Esplanade to Park Street.

https://t.co/AnVIIFxMbH

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 21, 2022

#shahiddiwas | Watch: TMC supporters gather in Kolkata for the Martyrs' Day rally

? Partha Paul pic.twitter.com/Mwh0YSWc0P

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) July 21, 2022

Many city schools have declared a holiday on July 21, anticipating conveyance hassles. They include St. James’ School, Don Bosco Park Circus, Calcutta Girls’ High School, Assembly of God Church, Mahadevi Birla World Academy, Gokhale Memorial Girls School, Sushila Birla Girls School, Delhi Public School Ruby Park, The Heritage School and Garden High School.

South City International School has opted for early dispersal to ensure that students reach home without hassle, Gokhale Memorial, St. James’ School, Calcutta Girls’ School and The Heritage School will hold classes on Saturday to make up for the lost day.

It is the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) most important annual event and on Thursday the party will hold the Shaheed Diwas (Martyrs’ Day) rally in the heart of Kolkata after a two-year break because of Covid-19. 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. The last time the rally was held, in 2019, Banerjee used the stage to lift the morale of TMC workers that had taken a hit following the party’s poor show in the 2019 parliamentary elections.

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. The Congress and the CPI(M) have accused the TMC of entering into a tacit agreement with the BJP after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) named former West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar its vice-presidential poll nominee.

Shaheed Diwas became the most crucial annual event for the TMC following its formation in 1998 as it allowed the party to lay claim to a legacy of anti-CPI(M) politics and create a narrative of being the most crucial political force standing up to the Left in West Bengal.

Banerjee had emerged as a focal point for the Congress following a vicious attack by CPI(M) workers in south Kolkata in August 1990. She had created ripples six years earlier by defeating prominent CPI(M) leader, and later Lok Sabha Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee from Jadavpur, which was considered the Left party’s bastion, in parliamentary elections. The attack in 1990 showed that by design or not the CPI(M), almost seen as an invincible political force in the state, viewed Banerjee as a threat.

On July 21, 1993, the state Youth Congress, then led by Banerjee organised a “Writers’ abhijaan (March to Writers’ Building, a colonial building that was the seat of the state secretariat)”, with the demand to make voter ID cards the only document required for voting. The Congress raised this demand to put an end to the alleged rigging of polls by the Left. Veteran TMC MP Saugata Roy, who participated in the rally in 1993, recalled that thousands of Youth Congress workers gathered at five different points in the city before starting the march towards Writers’ Building. But Jyoti Basu, the chief minister at the time, had announced that he would not allow the Youth Congress workers to lay siege on the state secretariat and the government imposed prohibitory orders to quell the demonstration.

As one of the Youth Congress processions approached the Writers’ Building from the Mayo Road area, the police stopped it and a scuffle broke out. A few of the protesters people started throwing stones and the police responded with a baton charge. As the protest kept gaining momentum, the police, afraid they would be outnumbered, opened fire and killed 13 Youth Congress workers.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while addressing her supporters via Twitter, said that the Shaheed Diwas rally was more of an emotion for the people of West Bengal as people across the state mourn the demise of the 13 party workers. “I would urge everyone coming for the rally to ensure that peace and law and order are maintained. I would also ask the police to help out the people coming to Kolkata from various parts of the state and the country so that they do not face any inconvenience,” the CM added.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

Sporting a long hat and a kurta with imprints of the Trinammol Congress’ symbol grass-flower, Najibuddin Miyan (56) reached Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon all the way from Cooch Behar district’s Mathabhanga to attend the party’s July 21 Martyrs’ Day (Shaheed Diwas) rally. “I come here every year to hear our leader Mamata Banerjee’s speech. But unfortunately, we were not able to make it for the last two years due to the pandemic,” said Najibuddin, one of the thousands of Trinamool supporters who started thronging the city ahead of the rally observed to commemorate 13 Youth Congress workers shot by the police in Kolkata on July 21, 1993.

The annual rally will be addressed by CM Banerjee.

In view of the ruling Trinamool Congress’ July 21 Martyrs’ Day rally, which is expected to attract a large number of party cadres, the Kolkata Traffic Police has made elaborate arrangements for traffic regulation on Thursday.

In a notification, the Kolkata Traffic Police Department stated that movement of all types of goods vehicles restricted within the city limits — under Kolkata Police’s jurisdiction — between 3 am and 8 pm. No vehicle will be allowed to be parked in and around Victoria Memorial Hall, the stretch of AJC Bose Road between Hastings Crossing and Cathedral Road, Hospital Road, Queensway, Cathedral Road, Casuarina Avenue and Lovers Lane. No goods carriage including trucks and matador vehicles, will be allowed to enter the city from 4 am Wednesday till 8 pm Thursday. More than 40 police pickets have been set up at locations in and around the city. Vehicular traffic may also be diverted from any of the arterial roads, feeder roads by the traffic police.

Good Morning and welcome to our live coverage of the Trinamool Congress's Shaheed Diwas rally in Kolkata today. The event, which was put on hold for two years owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, serves as an opportunity for chairperson and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee 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. Keep following this space for latest updates from the event