Stage set for Martyrs' Day rally as party leaders, police do final checks

Kolkata: The stage is set for the July 21 Martyrs' Day rally of Trinamool Congress at Esplanade, which is scheduled to be held on Sunday.

Trinamool Congress secretary general Partha Chatterjee visited the venue in front of Victoria House on Chittaranjan Avenue on Friday, where final touches are being given to the huge dais. Party supremo Mamata Banerjee will address the gathering there on Sunday.

The police had gunned down 13 Youth Congress workers who took part in the March to Writers' Buildings on July 21, 1993, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, who was then the state Youth Congress president. To remember the martyrs, Trinamool has been holding a meeting on July 21 since its inception.

Chatterjee said despite the flood in North Bengal, party supporters have started arriving in the city. Supporters from all over the state will come to attend the meeting, whose theme is 'Return ballot papers replacing Electronic Voting Machines'.

It may be mentioned that Banerjee had earlier been vocal about the manipulation of EVMs in the meetings she had addressed before the general elections. After the results of the Lok Sabha election came out, the Opposition parties had echoed her voice but none has launched any movement in this regard so far.

She will give a clarion call to launch a countrywide movement, demanding reintroduction of ballot papers to replace the EVMs.

Asked whether there will be enough supporters from Jangalmahal where the party could not do well in the Lok Sabha polls, Chatterjee said people from the area will come to attend the meeting. "Mamata Banerjee is a symbol of protest against any oppression. The way BJP is spreading communalism and trying to polarise the society, it is high time to launch movement against these social maladies. People have faith in Banerjee and they will turn up in great numbers on July 21," he said.

It may be mentioned that Trinamool Congress makes impeccable arrangement for those who come to the rally from the far-flung districts. Trinamool Youth Congress president Abhishek Banerjee has visited the Gitanjali stadium, where the party supporters will be put up. Elaborate arrangements have been made at Central park in Salt Lake as well, where party workers will stay in makeshift camps.

The Eastern Railway will also run extra trains for the convenience of the rally participants.

Senior officials of Kolkata Police went to the spot and oversaw the last minute arrangements. They inspected the construction of the dais as well. As July 21 is a Sunday, the offices in the Central Business District will be closed and traffic movement along CR Avenue will be less.

Foolproof arrangements will be made to ensure safety and security for those who will take part in the rally.