Kolkata, 21 July (H.S.) : West Bengal's annual July 21 Martyrs' Day witnessed a dramatically altered political landscape this year as the split in the Trinamool Congress (TMC) transformed what was once the party's largest annual show of strength into three separate political gatherings. The massive crowds that traditionally filled central Kolkata were largely absent, and the city functioned almost normally with minimal disruption to daily life.

The main programme of the Mamata Banerjee-led faction, popularly referred to as the Kalighat Trinamool, was held near the Birla Planetarium. A parallel rally was organised by the rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee in front of the Gandhi statue on Mayo Road, while the Congress held its own Martyrs' Day programme near Shahid Minar.

Among the three events, Mamata Banerjee's rally drew the largest turnout, while attendance at Ritabrata Banerjee's gathering fell short of expectations, suggesting that despite the organisational split, Mamata Banerjee continues to command greater public mobilisation.

Unlike previous years, Kolkata witnessed little traffic congestion or pressure on public transport, and offices, businesses and commercial establishments functioned largely without disruption.

Addressing supporters at the Mayo Road rally, Ritabrata Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the Mamata Banerjee faction, saying Martyrs' Day was not an entertainment show or a fashion parade. He alleged that for years, priority had been given to outsiders on the party's stage while grassroots workers who had built the organisation were ignored.

Ritabrata Banerjee also alleged that BJP workers attempted to prevent his supporters from reaching the rally by stopping buses in several areas, including Maheshtala. He said legal action would be initiated over the alleged incidents.

The rebel leader demanded that the judicial inquiry report into the July 21, 1993 police firing be made public. He also called for a white paper on the party's finances, promising that if his faction gained control of the organisation's financial affairs, each family of those killed in the 1993 firing would receive a monthly assistance of ₹10,000.

Senior leader Madan Mitra began his address by crediting Mamata Banerjee for building the Trinamool Congress but later criticised Abhishek Banerjee, alleging that party resources had been misused in recent years and that the organisation had weakened under the current leadership.

Appealing directly to Mamata Banerjee, Mitra urged her to distance herself from Abhishek Banerjee and reconnect with grassroots workers. The Trinamool Congress belongs to its workers, not to any one individual, he said.

This year's observance came against the backdrop of a major political realignment following the Assembly elections, with the Trinamool Congress splitting into two factions. A majority of the party's MPs have joined the newly formed NCPI, which is supporting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre. In West Bengal, the political contest now centres on the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction and the Mamata-Abhishek Banerjee-led Kalighat Trinamool.

Political observers believe the split has fundamentally altered the character of July 21, an event that for nearly three decades had served as the Trinamool Congress's biggest annual demonstration of political strength under Mamata Banerjee's leadership.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh