tmc-gears-up-for-electoral-battle-with-mega-rally-in-kolkata-today

Trinamool Congress (TMC) is all set to kickstart its Lok Sabha election campaign with a massive rally on Sunday at Kolkata's iconic Brigade Parade Grounds. Party leader Mamata Banerjee will lead the event titled as 'Jana Garjan Sabha', alongside TMC's National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. 

 

The rally, featuring three platforms and a cross ramp, aims to establish an agenda for the approaching polls.  

 

The rally's overarching theme revolves around the alleged withholding of the state's financial dues by the central government, a contentious issue that has dominated state politics for the past two years. 

 

Lakhs of supporters and numerous block-level leaders were seen in the morning flocking from different districts to hear their leader, affectionately called 'Didi'. 

 

TMC leader Firhad Hakim stated, "We are organising a rally at Brigade Parade Grounds after a long time. It is going to be a historic event. Our party supremo Mamata Banerjee will give a message which we will take to every nook and corner of West Bengal and ensure the defeat of the BJP in all the 42 Lok Sabha seats of the state." 

 

TMC's massive rally at the Brigade Parade Grounds carries significant importance, marking the party's return to Maidan for a large-scale gathering since the January 2019 opposition meeting. This meeting saw leaders from 19 opposition parties coming together in a show of solidarity at a historic site established as a parade ground during the British colonial era.

 

Despite its well-entrenched grassroots organisation, the TMC's tally dropped to 22 seats from 34 in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, whereas BJP clocked an impressive performance by clinching 18 seats in the state. 

 

Sources within the TMC suggested the possibility of significant defections from other political parties, particularly the BJP, which has seen 8 MLAs and 2 MPs crossing over to the ruling party in the state since the 2021 assembly polls. 

 

In a departure from conventional rally setups, the Trinamool Congress has opted for ramps to facilitate closer interaction between leaders and supporters during speeches. The three main stages interconnected by ramps aim to enhance engagement and connect with the grassroots.

 

Meanwhile, the BJP has derided the TMC's programme, branding it as the party's "farewell rally". 

 

Meanwhile, the BJP also plans to conduct a rally in Sandeshkhali, where allegations of sexual abuse against TMC leaders have surfaced.