Mamata’s Party to Hit Kolkata Streets in Protest Today

Bangla Press Desk:  A faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee has called for a protest march in Kolkata against India’s central government and the Election Commission. The march is scheduled to take place on Tuesday (October 13), from Rajabazar to Park Circus. The party held a protest in New Delhi a day earlier.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari took a dig at the planned demonstration, saying the organisers had chosen a “very good location” for the march. Although he did not elaborate, his remark was interpreted as a reference to the significant minority population in the Rajabazar and Park Circus areas.

Adhikari also accused the opposition of joining hands with “dimagi Naxals” and anti-national forces. He claimed these activities were aimed at undermining the BJP-led central government. He further alleged that a “deep state” conspiracy was behind the protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the TMC, meanwhile, accused the central government of attempting to silence democracy. The faction has demanded the resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, branding him a “vote thief”.

Protesting against the police detention of Mamata Banerjee in Delhi and alleging a crackdown on young opposition leaders are also among the key issues behind the demonstrations.

Party workers began campaigning in various parts of Kolkata on Monday in support of the march. Mamata Banerjee has also urged members of the party’s student, youth, labour and women’s organisations to take part in the programme.

Source: The Telegraph India