Martyrs' Day: 'BJP hatao! Answer, why have prices of gas, petrol gone up?' Mamata's explosive speech

Kolkata: After a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) is all set to hold its party's mega Martyrs' Day rally in Kolkata today. A day before the rally, the Chief Minister said that Martyrs' Day rally will be against the Centre's "authoritarian rule". "We are dedicating this rally to the martyrs and against the authoritarian rule of the Centre," Banerjee said after visiting the venue to see for herself the preparations. The party plans to make its annual rally a grand success. TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee claimed that around 20 lakh people will attend the programme. According to TMC sources, the party is likely to announce at the rally its strategy for strengthening Opposition unity against BJP and its pan-India expansion plans.

TMC observes Martyrs' Day on July 21 every year to commemorate the killing of 13 people in police firing on a Youth Congress rally against the then Left Front government in 1993 when Banerjee was the YC state president. She continues to observe the day even after she formed the Trinamool Congress in 1998 and came to power in 2011.

Thank you for staying with Zee News for all the latest breaking news updates on Martyrs' Day rally.

21 July 2022

13:44 IST

"I prayed to Bagalamukhi ma, prayed to Allah, prayed to skies...so that the rain subsides and we can hold the meeting," CM Mamata Banerjee said at the Martyrs' Day rally.

13:41 IST

"I am confident, BJP won't get single majority in 2024," said Mamata Banerjee, adding that when that happens, others will unite (against BJP).

13:38 IST

Mamata lashes out at BJP at Martyrs' Day rally: "Now that GST has been imposed on puffed rice as well, so will the people of BJP not eat that now. GST is levied on sweets, lassi, and curd. What will people eat? GST is even imposed when a patient is hospitalized," the Bengal CM said.

13:31 IST

Martyrs' Day update: "People of Bengal walk with their heads held high, we will never bow down to any autocratic force," Mamata Banerjee said. She added, addressing BJP, "Clear the MGNREGA funds. Stop depriving people who work hard! Stop denying people their basic rights!"

13:30 IST

Don't insult the Indian Army: Mamata slams Modi govt on Agnipath issue

"Do not insult the Indian Army. What is Agnipath? Will the youth of our country work as BJP party cadre? Do you have absolutely no respect for the youth of our nation?" Mamata slammed BJP.

13:29 IST

Martyrs' Day rally: "BJP is trying to break the government everywhere, this has become their job. In West Bengal, they tried to defeat us but could not succeed. It has been raining here and roads were full of water but our supporters did not move from here," WB CM Mamata Banerjee at TMC's Martyrs' Day rally.

13:19 IST

https://t.co/AnVIIFxMbH

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 21, 2022

13:09 IST

Martyrs' Day update: Mamata slams BJP for imposing GST, and asks, "Asks what will people eat?"

13:08 IST

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses the public gathered at TMC's Martyr's Day Rally in Kolkata's Esplanade pic.twitter.com/nwD9OTe9Gu

— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2022

13:07 IST

"Poverty and unemployment have gone down in Bengal; unlike in the rest of the country," said Mamata Banerjee."

13:02 IST

Martyrs' Day: Mamata Banerjee invokes Tagore, slams BJP

We have a spine, we are people of Rabindranath Tagore's land. We believe in Tagore's verse, "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high..."

12:49 IST

Martyrs' Day rally: Abhishek Banerjee's impassioned speech

When Mamata is there, Bengal won't be dependent on Delhi's charity, Abhishek Banerjee said slamming the Centre. He added, "What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow...we have to shake Delhi!" 

12:44 IST

Abhishek Banerjee addresses the public at the Martyrs' Day rally.

#WATCH | West Bengal: Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee addresses the public at the TMC's Martyr's Day Rally in Kolkata's Esplanade pic.twitter.com/ooWZZHT544

— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2022

12:40 IST

Martyrs' Day: Abhishek Banerjee's speech on a rainy day in Kolkata

General Secretary of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), Abhishek Banerjee, begins his address at the rally even as rain lashed Kolkata.

12:38 IST

Martyrs' Day rally: TMC leader and Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim said, "Bengal has said, 'Bhag Modi, Bhag; Bhag Amit Shah, Bhag; Bhag Suvendu, Bhag.'

12:16 IST

Martyrs' Day latest update: The TMC tweeted from its official handle and said that as we mourn the demise of our martyrs, we are firm in our resolve to fight all autocratic forces.

What a rousing welcome for our National Gen Sec @abhishekaitc at Dharmatala!

As we mourn the demise of our martyrs, we are firm in our resolve to fight all autocratic forces.

People of Bengal REJECTED the hate-mongers and in the coming days, people of India will do the same. pic.twitter.com/N4RTpifQBu

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 21, 2022

12:03 IST

Martyrs' Day rally update: People from across West Bengal gathered in Kolkata to be a part of the Martyrs' Day rally.

From across the state, crossing all hurdles, people have gathered to join our Hon'ble Chairperson @MamataOfficial in paying tribute to the 13 innocent lives that were lost on 21st July 1993...#ShahidDibas pic.twitter.com/ZefeeaumBY

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 21, 2022

10:33 IST

Martrys' Day rally update: In Kolkata's Central Avenue, there's a festive mood. Tent-like structures have been put up and from chicken-rice to egg-rice, a wide variety of items are being whipped up for supporters who will then head to the rally.

07:57 IST

Martrys' Day update: BJP cancels Uluberia rally in wake of Calcutta HC's conditions

West Bengal BJP called off its public meeting in Howrah's Uluberia, scheduled to be held today, citing its inability to hold a successful rally in view of the Calcutta High Court's conditions. The saffron party has decided to hold the event at a later date, which is yet to be decided.
Calcutta High Court on Wednesday granted conditional permission to BJP to hold the rally on the same day the TMC will hold its massive Martyrs' Day rally in Kolkata. Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya said the meeting can be held from 8 PM to 10 PM, and BJP has to ensure that law and order are maintained and that no speaker issues any provocative statements. Also, the saffron party must ensure that NH 16 is not obstructed due to the rally.

07:56 IST

Martyrs' Day rally: Twelve heavy radio flying squads will be deployed, and an adequate number of PCR vans will patrol the city streets on Wednesday night. Many people will reach Kolkata by crossing Hooghly River. Special DMG boats and divers will be deployed for their safety, he added.

07:54 IST

Mamata's Martyrs' Day rally updates: Tight security arrangements will be in place for Trinamool Congress' Martyrs' Day rally in the Esplanade area of Kolkata on Thursday, police said. A total of 4,500 police personnel will be deployed across the city, of whom 3,500 will be at the venue in the heart of the city. Additional CCTVs have been installed there, a senior officer said. A tab will be kept on the movement of rally attendees towards the venue, and policemen in plainclothes will be posted at different entry points to the city, he said.