Supporters throng city to hear CM's new roadmap

The countdown for the Martyrs' Day programme organised by Trinamool Congress has begun and from party workers to the masses, as well as national leaders, one and all are anxiously awaiting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's speech.

She is likely to address the gathering at around 12 noon on Friday. Party leaders feel that a record number of party workers and sympathisers will attend the rally.

The meeting is very significant in view of the political scenario prevailing in Bengal. The Chief Minister, over and again, has held the BJP responsible for creating communal disturbances in various parts of the state. She has urged party workers and even college and university students to counter the canards and false information circulated by BJP on social media.

She has proposed to set up shanti bahinis (peace force) comprising people from all walks of life in every booth to thwart any attempt to disturb the social stability by the BJP. Banerjee is likely to give instructions to her party workers regarding the matter from the podium. From the statement made by Subrata Bakshi criticising the Centre in the press conference held on Thursday afternoon, it is evident that the party chief will be making scathing attacks on the Centre. Earlier, Banerjee had held the Centre responsible for ruining the country financially and affecting its federal structure. She had described notebandi and GST as the biggest financial scams of recent times. It may be mentioned that many economists all over the world had criticised the Centre for its hasty decision to ban high-value notes. Banerjee has criticised the Centre for its "attitude to scare the states that have opposed the Centre" and she is likely to speak on this subject on Friday.

The Centre's decision to reduce its share in various projects particularly those that are meant for rural development is likely to come up in her speech.

The Panchayat election is scheduled to be held next year and she is likely to announce the strategy the party is likely to take during the election and instruct party workers and leaders accordingly.

Subrata Bakshi said party workers from other districts have started pouring in and they will be put up at the Milan Mela ground, Gitanjali Stadium in Rajdanga and different dharmasalas. Rallies from Sealdah, Howrah, Hazra, Gariahat, Shyambazar, Kidderpore and Behala will converge at Esplanade where a makeshift podium has been constructed. Besides, party's MPs, MLAs and ministers, many guests will be present. There will be another stage where artists from different districts will perform cultural shows.

Rajeev Kumar, Commissioner of Kolkata Police, along with his senior colleagues on Thursday inspected the stage from where Mamata Banerjee will address the gathering.

No goods vehicles will be allowed from 8 am to 8 pm in the city in view of the gathering. Drones will be used to intensify vigil. The police will divert vehicular traffic as and when necessary. Additional policemen have been deployed. Steps have been taken to ensure smooth traffic movements along important thoroughfares as early as possible after the rally ends. Trinamool Congress has set up makeshift camps in the city and districts to facilitate its workers and guide them to the venue.