A dispute has arisen over the Trinamool Congress’ upcoming Martyrs’ Day event in Kolkata. The faction led by Mamata Banerjee has requested permission from Kolkata Police to hold the program on July 21 in the Esplanade area. In response, the rebel faction, headed by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, has also approached the police for approval to organize the same event.
The rebel group, claiming to be the “real Trinamool Congress,” has sent a letter to Kolkata Police expressing their intention to observe the Martyrs’ Day program. Chief Whip Akhruzzaman from the rebel camp criticized Mamata Banerjee’s faction, questioning their ability to commemorate the day effectively. He emphasized the importance of honoring the families of martyrs during the event.
Recently, the Ritabrata Banerjee faction held a preparatory meeting for the July 21 program at a city hotel, attended by around 50 former councillors of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Following the meeting, Akhruzzaman confirmed that they had formally requested permission from the Kolkata Police Commissioner to observe Martyrs’ Day at Esplanade on July 21. This move came shortly after Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress also sought police permission for the same purpose.
The annual Martyrs’ Day rally in Kolkata is a significant event for the Trinamool Congress. It commemorates the 13 individuals who lost their lives during a protest led by the West Bengal Youth Congress, then under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership, on July 21, 1993. Over the years, this day has held symbolic importance for the party, marking a shift from opposition to power and now facing internal divisions over its observance.
