‘I will fight or die’: Mamata holds massive protest in Kolkata against post-poll attacks on party leaders

Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday staged a massive ‘dharna’ (sit-in protest) in Kolkata’s Esplanade against attacks on party workers and senior leaders, including her nephew and MP Abhishek Banerjee.

Addressing her supporters at the protest venue using a megaphone, she said, “I will fight or die.”

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She also claimed that police denied permission to set up a stage or use microphones.

Mamata also alleged that state police is threatening TMC leaders and arresting them in false cases.

“Cops are threatening our leaders. CP Chandannagar called our leader and asked him to resign; otherwise, he would be arrested. Our leaders are being arrested by police in false cases…,” she added.

Mamata had sought permission to protest at Rani Rashmoni Avenue. However, the police reportedly refused permission and offered Esplanade’s Y-channel as an alternative site.

Sharing pictures of the massive turnout of supporters at Mamata’s dharna site, the TMC said that the love and affection for the former Bengal CM is genuine and unmatched.

“THE CROWD SAYS IT ALL! The love and affection for @MamataOfficial is ORGANIC, GENUINE AND UNMATCHED,” the TMC wrote.

“No amount of propaganda can manufacture this kind of connection with the people. It is built on years of trust, compassion and unwavering commitment to Bengal,” the party added.

Before joining the protest, Mamata Banerjee, along with party leaders Dola Sen, Kalyan Banerjee and others, paid floral tributes to BR Ambedkar.

The protest came in response to an attack on Abhishek Banerjee and Kalyan Banerjee last week.

Abhishek was attacked on May 30 during his visit to Sonarpur in West Bengal, where he had gone to meet families affected by post-poll violence.

A group of men assaulted Banerjee despite attempts by his security personnel to protect him. The mob also hurled eggs and threw stones at the Diamond Harbour MP, who sustained some injuries in the attack and was taken to the hospital.

A day later, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee was also attacked by a mob in front of a police station. He reportedly suffered head injuries in the attack that took place in West Bengal’s Hooghly district on Sunday, May 31.