Kolkata: A day before Martyrs’ Day, Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress has arranged a tram in the Bengal capital to publicize the importance of July 21 and promote the party in the larger sphere of national politics.
Speaking on the importance of this move, former MP and State President of Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress, INTTUC, Ritabrata Banerjee said, “There will be no area, block or locality in Bengal where his message for July 21 will not reach . It will certainly happen here, but also outside Bengal where his message will be broadcast.”
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This year, Trinamool Congress will stream online the Martyrs Day program in other states to strengthen and expand its political skills. Being national, TMC will broadcast Mamata’s speech on martyrs and the party’s rise to power in other states like Tripura, Manipur, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. With the COVID pandemic in hand, the event will be conducted online through virtual mediums, and with the party releasing its campaign tagline, the TMC seems to be gearing up with preparations for the 2024 national elections.
The trams are painted blue and white, a trademark favorite of the party supremo, and are embellished with the Indian tricolor and their large posters against the party’s symbol: grass flowers. Banerjee said that she believes that this initiative will convey Mamata’s message to an uncountable number of people across India.
Giving some historical context on the initiative, Banerjee said, “This initiative is not new, it has been going on since 1994 and there is a pause for a few years in between.” Referring to the recent controversy over the Pegasus espionage case, he hit out at the BJP and said, “BJP wants to establish a dictatorship inside India. Everywhere the fight is against the BJP, not just in Bengal. It is clear that Mamata Banerjee emerged as a victory pillar in the recent fight against the BJP in the Bengal assembly elections in 2012. And for this nationwide fight against the BJP, we are celebrating July 21.”
Keeping in mind the upcoming third wave of the pandemic, Banerjee said the program would work in tandem with the COVID-19 restrictions. According to him, each booth will have 50 volunteers, who will maintain adequate social distancing.
Although the Trinamool Congress is the ruling party in the state, the trams are run with government funds. With regard to concerns of the party capitalizing on state funds to advance its own cause and promote itself, Banerjee said, “There is nothing like that. There is no misuse of government money. We are all legal.” We are following the provisions and using the tram. Paying the fees. We are filling the process, and no stone will be left unturned.”
Shaheed Diwas or Shaheed Diwas, observed on 21 July 1993, is a day to remember the death of 13 TMC workers in Bengal in protest against the then Left rule. A pivotal moment for Mamata Banerjee’s rise to power, July 21 is celebrated with much fanfare and popularity in Bengal, making it a fortune teller in state politics.
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