Akhilesh likely at TMC’s rally, Sena (UBT) netas may come too
Times of India | 21 July 2024
Kolkata: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is likely to attend Trinamool’s Shahid Diwas rally on Sunday. Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, who went to Esplanade on Saturday and spent nearly 35 minutes at the meeting venue speaking to party workers and functionaries, told reporters: “We have invited Akhilesh. He will come if the weather permits.”
A party senior said Yadav may meet CM Banerjee at her Kalighat residence before going to the rally.Some leaders from the Sena (UBT) camp may also join the rally, the senior indicated. “RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav was also invited but he will not be able to join since he is abroad. After the rally, CM Banerjee, general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and Yadav may discuss the opposition strategy in the upcoming Budget session of Parliament,” a TMC senior said.
While party supporters have started coming to Kolkata to attend Sunday’s mega rally, CM Banerjee accused the railways of decreasing the frequency of trains on Sunday. “We had informed Railways more than one month ago. I was the Rail minister, I know how the Railways work. They should have increased the frequency of trains to disperse the crowd smoothly, but they didn’t.”
The Trinamool chief repeatedly asked supporters to travel carefully. “On July 21, we pay tribute to those who lost their lives in various mass movements. Regardless of the elections, we have chosen this day as ‘Ma-Mati-Manush’ Day. People come from far and wide. I urge everyone to come with a calm mind. If you are travelling by bus, ask the driver to drive slowly to avoid accidents. Those travelling by train, do not lean out of the windows. We do not want any accident to happen. Here, we are not leaders. We are all workers,” the CM said.
Earlier in the day, CM Banerjee posted an open invitation on X and wrote about the day’s importance: “Tomorrow comes another 21st July! 21st July is a blood-soaked day in the history of Bengal. 13 lives were brutally taken away by the repressive regime of CPM on this day in 1993. I lost 13 of my co-fighters on this day in my battle against repression. 21st July is therefore an emotive milestone for us. 21st July is an integral part of Bengal’s public culture today.”
“’We remember those heroic martyrs every year on this historic day with love and respect. With them, we also remember all who have sacrificed their lives in movements for our country...we observe this day as ‘Ma- Mati- Manush Divas’, and dedicate our democratic electoral victories to the people of West Bengal...” the CM added.
“Tomorrow, for this....programme at Esplanade, I invite all of you in Bengal. Like every year, this year too, I trust, our congregation will get meaning through your eager participation in the collective homage to the martyrs...” she wrote on X.