Mamata Banerjee says TMC protest will go ahead despite police denial; alleges attacks on party leaders, workers

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) will proceed with its proposed sit-in at Kolkata’s Rani Rashmoni Avenue despite police refusing permission for the demonstration, party supremo Mamata Banerjee said on Monday.

The protest is being organized against the alleged attacks on TMC leaders, particularly Abhishek Banerjee and Kalyan Banerjee, and party workers, as well as the Railways’ ongoing drive to evict hawkers from railway premises.

Addressing party workers, Banerjee accused the BJP of using “money and power” to engineer defections from the TMC at a time when ordinary people, small traders and hawkers were facing uncertainty and fear. She alleged that hawkers were being removed without any proper rehabilitation plan.

The former West Bengal chief minister, however, maintained that leaders leaving the party for personal interests would ultimately strengthen the organisation. “The party will emerge stronger from this crisis,” she said.

Claiming that 12 TMC workers had been killed since the Assembly elections, Banerjee said thousands of party activists had been arrested while many others had been forced to leave their homes.

Making it clear that the agitation would not be called off, she said the protest would be held irrespective of official approval. “If we are not allowed to hold a dharna there, I will sit wherever I am stopped. I am ready to be arrested,” Banerjee said.

The planned protest comes a day after Abhishek Banerjee alleged that he was attacked with bricks, stones and eggs while visiting families affected by post-poll violence in Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district.

The TMC national general secretary suffered an eye injury in the incident and described it as a “BJP-sponsored” attack and an attempt on his life. He also accused the police of failing to provide adequate security during the visit.

TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said Banerjee was undergoing treatment and several medical examinations were still pending.

Reacting to the proposed protest, BJP MP Rahul Sinha said there was no objection to demonstrations conducted with police permission but questioned the basis of the TMC’s agitation.

Noting that those allegedly involved in the Sonarpur incident had already been arrested, Sinha claimed that the episode had been “orchestrated by Abhishek Banerjee himself” to defame the BJP and strengthen his demand for enhanced security.