Mamata’s Trinamool Congress to Hold Protest March in Kolkata Today
Mamata Banerjee’s faction of All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has called a protest march in Kolkata against the central government and the Election Commission. The march is scheduled to take place from Rajabazar to Park Circus on Tuesday (October 13). A day earlier, the party held a protest in New Delhi.
It remains unclear whether Mamata Banerjee will join the march. There is also no clear information on whether the police have granted permission for the rally. According to party sources, the march is scheduled to begin at 2pm. The protest will oppose the central government’s role and the Election Commission’s recent actions. The demands include the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and protests against alleged police action against demonstrators.
AITC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said the party’s student and youth wings had organised the march and that he would take part. However, he could not confirm whether Banerjee would attend, as she is currently busy in Delhi. Regarding police permission, Ghosh said he did not know whether approval had been granted. He added that it could be assumed that the police would not permit the programme.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari mocked the planned march, saying the organisers had chosen a “very good place.” Although he did not explain his remarks, they were seen as an apparent reference to the significant minority population in Rajabazar and Park Circus.
Mr. Adhikari also accused opposition groups of joining hands with “dimagi Naxals” and anti-national forces. He claimed these activities were aimed at undermining the BJP-led central government. He further alleged that a “deep state” conspiracy was behind the protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Mamata Banerjee faction of the AITC, meanwhile, accused the central government of attempting to silence democracy. The faction has demanded the resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, calling him a “vote thief.”
The protest will also highlight opposition to the police detention of Banerjee in Delhi and alleged repression of young opposition leaders. Party workers began campaigning in support of the march in various parts of Kolkata on Monday. Banerjee has also urged members of the party’s student, youth, labour and women’s wings to participate.
Source: The Telegraph India
