Violence mars Didi rally

The day’s protest was primarily against a pre-litigation conciliation board Bill, 2004 that is scheduled to be introduced in the state Assembly on December 24. The Trinamool had been opposing the Bill, alleging that this would virtually give control to CPI(M) party functionaries at the litigation boards in the block level.

The Trinamool chief herself landed before the central gate of Writers’ Buildings, surrounded by her black cat commandos, after having made several rounds of BBD Bag — the high-security zone adjoining the state secretariat. Addressing the media in front of the gate, she said: ‘‘I hate to enter Writers’ as long as the Chief Minister, who is in power through rigged polls, is there. We will go there once the people throw them out.’’

Earlier, thousands of her supporters tried to court arrest at Chowringhee. Then they marched towards Lalbazar, instead of going towards Rani Rashmoni Road where the police waited with at least 40 buses to arrest and transport them to jail. A massive lathicharge followed that lasted for nearly half-hour.

The programme was a clear indication that Banerjee, after maintaining a low profile for a long time, is trying to rejuvenate the party on the eve of the municipal polls due in May-June.