Mamata Banerjee Spends Night at Rally Venue to Thwart ‘BJP Miscreants’

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spent the entire night at the Martyrs' Day rally venue in Kolkata, vowing to prevent what she called 'BJP-backed miscreants' from disrupting the event. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo took the unusual step hours before the July 21 rally, a day that marks the party's annual show of strength.

Night Vigil at Esplanade

Banerjee arrived at the Esplanade ground late on Monday evening and remained there till Tuesday morning. TMC workers set up a makeshift enclosure for her, with party leaders taking turns to keep watch.

“I will not let anyone sabotage this rally. The BJP is trying to create trouble,” Banerjee told reporters at the venue. She claimed that unidentified persons had attempted to damage the stage and sound equipment earlier in the night.

Parallel Rallies and Court Orders

The July 21 programme holds deep symbolic value for the TMC. It commemorates the 1993 Martyrs' Day massacre, when 13 party supporters were shot dead by police during a protest against the then Left Front government.

This year, the rally took place amid a fractured Opposition landscape. Rebel TMC factions, led by expelled leaders, organised a separate programme at the same ground in the afternoon. The Congress also held its own event in the city, turning the day into a three-way political contest.

The Calcutta High Court had earlier directed the Kolkata Police to provide adequate security at the TMC's venue. The court also sought a report on alleged vandalism at the site. Police submitted a preliminary report, but officials have not yet confirmed any arrests.

Traffic and Security Arrangements

Kolkata Police put in place elaborate traffic diversions across central Kolkata. Commuters faced long delays as multiple rallies converged on the Esplanade area. Officers were deployed in large numbers to prevent any clash between rival groups.

“We have made separate holding areas for each rally. Our priority is to ensure peace,” a senior police officer said. No major incidents of violence were reported till Tuesday evening.

Political Message

Banerjee's overnight stay was more than a security measure — it was a political statement. By physically guarding the venue, she aimed to project herself as the undisputed leader of the TMC, even as internal dissent simmers.

The rebel faction, which includes several former ministers, has accused Banerjee of running a one-person show. Tuesday's events underlined that the party remains deeply divided, but Banerjee's theatrical defiance may have helped consolidate her core supporters.

The day ended with all three rallies concluding peacefully. The TMC claimed a turnout of over 10 lakh people. Independent estimates were not immediately available.

With assembly elections due in West Bengal next year, the Martyrs' Day events offered a preview of the political battle ahead. The TMC will need to address its internal fractures if it hopes to counter a resurgent BJP, which has made deep inroads in the state since 2021.