A fresh political conflict has erupted in the Trinamool Congress (TMC) following rival factions of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and suspended party leader Ritabrata Banerjee both asked permission to organise the party's signature Shahid Diwas rally at Kolkata's Dharmatala on July 21.
The Martyrs' Day programme has long been one of the Trinamool Congress' most attended political events, commemorating the 13 people that were killed in police firing during a Youth Congress protest in Kolkata on July 21, 1993. But this year, it has become the latest flashpoint in the party's ongoing power struggle.
According to documents submitted to the Kolkata Police Commissioner, both factions have asked permission to hold the programme at Dharmatala, in front of Victoria House.
The application by the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction from June 27, signed by Arup Roy, who identifies himself as the Chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress. The application seeks permission to occupy the venue from July 19 to enable the stage, sound systems and other infrastructure ahead of the July 21 event.
Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee's camp has also submitted a separate application to the Kolkata Police seeking permission to organise its own Shahid Diwas programme at the same location.
Forgery complaint against Ritabrata Camp
The political warfare has also taken a legal turn.
The Mamata Banerjee faction has filed a formal complaint with New Town Police Station under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, accusing Ritabrata Banerjee and a few others of forging the Trinamool Congress name, official letterhead and election symbol.
The complaint filed by Rajya Sabha MP and AITC National Joint Secretary Dola Sen alleges that Ritabrata Banerjee, Arup Roy, Javed Khan, Sandipan Saha, Biplab Mitra and others held a meeting at Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences on June 22, calling it an official special session of the All India Trinamool Congress.
According to the complaint, the accused used forged party banners, symbols and official communication to create the impression that the gathering had the approval of Trinamool Congress leadership. Police are also being asked to investigate the booking of the venue and identify everyone involved.
The complaint also alleges that Ritabrata Banerjee falsely represented himself as the party's General Secretary while submitting a letter to the Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly using an alleged forged party letterhead.
In addition, the Mamata faction has claimed that some of the accused were in contact with leaders of the BJP and the National Citizens Party of India (NCPI), so investigators should investigate any possibility of criminal conspiracy.
Political Showdown Ahead
With both parties competing for the same space for one of Trinamool Congress’ biggest annual events, Kolkata Police will now have to decide how to deal with the different requests.
The dispute has made the party more divided and political tensions in West Bengal could increase ahead of the July 21 observance, once the biggest annual show of strength of the TMC.
