TMC's mega rally: Lakhs of people gather in Kolkata
Kolkata: Lakhs of supporters of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has gathered in Kolkata on Sunday for the party's first major rally following their impressive performance in the Lok Sabha elections.
The event, which saw TMC supporters from various districts of West Bengal converge on the city, served as both a celebration of the party's recent success and a commemoration of Martyrs' Day.
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday met West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee at her residence in Kalighat in the southern part of Kolkata, party sources said. Yadav is in Kolkata as a special invitee to the 'Martyrs' Day' rally of the TMC held in Esplanade area in the central part of the city this afternoon.
According to TMC sources, both leaders discussed the present political situation in the country. Banerjee and Yadav will later arrive at the venue of the rally and address the gathering.
The rally, held annually on July 21 at Esplanade in the heart of Kolkata, is a significant date for TMC. It honors the memory of the 13 Congress workers who were allegedly killed in police firing in 1993 during a protest against the then CPI(M)-led Left Front government. At that time, Mamata Banerjee, now the Chief Minister and TMC supremo, was leading the protest as the state Youth Congress chief.
In preparation for the mega rally, TMC supporters from far-off districts began arriving in Kolkata two days in advance. Camps were set up across the city to accommodate the influx of participants. From the rally, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to outline the party's blueprint at the national level.
"The July 21 Martyrs' Day rally holds a special place in our hearts. We dedicate this day to our martyrs. This year, we also dedicate this rally to our victory in the Lok Sabha polls," a senior TMC leader quoted. The rally was further highlighted by the expected presence of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who was slated to address the gathering.
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