Ritabrata camp’s national executive ‘only lawful’ Trinamool authority, says Alipore court
The latest ruling gives a moral victory to the bloc which is fighting to assert itself as the 'real' Trinamool party.
The political tussle over the observance of Trinamool Congress’s annual “21 July Martyrs’ Day” gathering intensified on Wednesday, with former BJP state president and cabinet minister Dilip Ghosh daring the Mamata Banerjee-led Kalighat faction to hold its rally at Brigade Parade Ground instead of insisting on Esplanade.
“If you have the courage, go to Brigade. If you have the workers, fill Brigade Parade Ground. Otherwise, stay at home and pay floral tributes to the martyrs’ portraits,” Ghosh said while speaking to reporters during his morning walk at Eco Park, where he also interacted with party workers.
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His remarks came a day after the Kalighat faction of the Trinamool Congress accused Kolkata Police of misrepresenting discussions held over permission for the 21 July programme.
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In an email addressed to the Joint Commissioner of Police (Headquarters), Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien described the police communication as “a complete misrepresentation of facts.”
He alleged that within seconds of the meeting beginning, police officials suggested that the party shift the programme to Brigade Parade Ground instead of holding it at its traditional venue in central Kolkata.
According to O’Brien, the Trinamool delegation opposed the proposal and explained the historical, political and emotional significance of observing Martyrs’ Day at Dharmatala.
The delegation also underlined the long association of party founder Mamata Banerjee with the annual programme, which commemorates the deaths of 13 Youth Congress activists who were killed in police firing during the Writers’ Buildings march on 21 July 1993.
The controversy has unfolded against the backdrop of an organisational split within the Trinamool Congress. Both the Kalighat faction led by Mamata Banerjee and the rival camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee had sought permission to hold programmes at Esplanade on 21 July.
Police, however, declined permission for rallies at the traditional venue. The Ritabrata faction was subsequently permitted to organise its programme near the Gandhi statue on Mayo Road after discussions with the state police.
The Kalighat camp, however, has refused the suggestion of shifting its event to Brigade Parade Ground. Political observers believe the reluctance stems from concerns over mobilising a large enough crowd at Brigade following the split in the party.
Taking a swipe at the Kalighat leadership, Ghosh questioned its organisational strength, saying that if the party still commanded public support, it should have no hesitation in filling Brigade Parade Ground.
Earlier, former Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee had maintained that if no suitable venue was allotted, she would even address the Martyrs’ Day gathering from a rickshaw, reiterating her determination to observe the programme despite the ongoing dispute over permissions.
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