BJP West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh accused Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee of hijacking the annual Shaheed Diwas commemoration from the Congress party.
The dispute highlights a deepening political rift in West Bengal as the TMC attempts to maintain its grip on the symbolic legacy of Martyrs' Day. This clash occurs amid broader tensions involving internal party crises and disputes over the TMC party headquarters.
Ghosh said that the event, observed on July 21 [1], was originally intended to commemorate Congress workers. He questioned the legitimacy of the TMC's claim over the day, suggesting the party appropriated the event for its own political ends.
Adding to the tension, the Kolkata police denied permission for the TMC's planned rally at Victoria House near the Esplanade area [2]. The refusal of the permit comes as the party prepares for its annual gathering, which typically serves as a major show of strength for the TMC in the city.
Ghosh linked these developments to an ongoing internal crisis within the Trinamool Congress. He said the row over the party headquarters and the struggle for the legacy of July 21 are indicators of instability within the leadership.
The TMC has not issued a formal response to the specific accusations made by Ghosh regarding the appropriation of the holiday. However, the party's planned activities for July 21 [1] remain a focal point of political mobilization in the region despite the police restrictions at Victoria House [2].
“Dilip Ghosh accused Mamata Banerjee of hijacking the July 21 ‘Shaheed Diwas’ from Congress.”
The conflict over Shaheed Diwas reflects a struggle for historical legitimacy in West Bengal. By challenging the TMC's ownership of Martyrs' Day, the BJP is attempting to undermine the party's narrative of grassroots struggle and leadership, while the police denial of rally permits suggests a tightening of administrative control over high-profile political gatherings in Kolkata.
