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A large number of people from across West Bengal have congregated at Kolkata's Esplanade for the Martyr's Day rally by ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), being held amidst tight security on Thursday, 21 July.
Speaking at the rally, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, quoting Rabindranath Tagore, said, "Where the mind is without fear, where the head is held high."
Attacking the Union government, the West Bengal chief minister said:
She further asserted that the saffron party will be swept away from the centre by the people's mandate in 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Bengal CM and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee addressing the party's Martyr's Day Rally
Shatrughan Sinha at TMC Martyr's Day Rally
TMC supporters gather in a large number to observe the Martyrs Day, in Kolkata on Thursday.
The TMC's Martyr's Day Rally
The TMC's Martyr's Day Rally
She further accused the BJP of destroying all the democratic institutions of the country.
“Break BJP's prison, bring people's government in 2024,“ said the TMC chief amid thunderous applause.
Terming the recent GST hike introduced by the Union government as "anti-people," she wondered what the underprivileged people of the country eat when the BJP has introduced GST on everything, including milk powder and puffed rice. "How will the poor survive in this country?" she questioned.
Further, she warned the BJP that it would get a befitting response if the party tries to unseat the Bengal government, like it did in Maharashtra.
Addressing the huge gathering at the rally, TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha contended that while the government under late former Prime Minister (PM) Atal Bihari Vajpayee projected 'lokshahi' (democracy), that of PM Modi reflected 'tanashahi' (dictatorship).
Vajpayee was a "pro-people father figure and statesman," Sinha, who had been a Union minister in the Vajpayee cabinet said.
The actor-turned-politician, who was recently elected as Asansol MP, also attacked the BJP over unemployment, demonetisation, Agnipath scheme and GST hike.
Calling Mamata Banerjee as the "most acceptable leader in the country" he said, "What Bengal thinks today, India will think tomorrow." Although she was wheel chair bound, Banerjee led the campaigns during last assembly polls and won after obtaining a massive mandate, he said.
Meanwhile, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, while addressing the rally, said that the party will continue with its expansion plans outside West Bengal and will win seats outside the state in 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
He warned a section of TMC workers against indulging in corruption and said no one is above party discipline.
The annual rally is being held after a gap of two years due to theCOVID-19 pandemic and is highlighted by an address by TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee. This year's rally is also special as it is the first after the party's decisive victory in the state election in 2021 and TMC's return to power for the third consecutive term.
At least 4,500 police personnel have been deployed across the city to maintain law and order in during the day.
She continues to observe the day even after forming the Trinamool Congress in 1998 and coming to power in West Bengal in 2011.
On Wednesday, Mamata Banerjee had said that the Martyrs' Day rally will be against the Centre's "authoritarian rule."
(With inputs from PTI.)
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Published: 21 Jul 2022,03:23 PM IST