Trinamool Plans Kolkata Rally on Tuesday, Mamata Banerjee May Lead Protest Seeking CEC’s Resignation

The Trinamool Congress faction led by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a major protest rally in Kolkata on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Banerjee’s participation remains tentative as she is currently in New Delhi.

Leaders of the faction said on Monday that Banerjee could lead the march on foot if she returns to Kolkata by Monday night or Tuesday morning.

“Till now we are saying that her presence at the Kolkata rally is tentative since she is still in New Delhi to be part of the protest movements there. But if she returns tonight or even tomorrow morning, she will surely lead the rally in Kolkata,” a leader from the faction said.

The party has described the proposed event as a “massive protest march” in a pamphlet circulated on Monday. However, it remains unclear whether Kolkata Police will grant permission for the rally, given the potential for traffic disruption.

According to the pamphlet, the protest will focus on the demand for the CEC’s resignation and opposition to the Central government, which the faction has accused of suppressing democracy. The organisers have also listed the alleged detention of Banerjee in New Delhi and what they describe as the oppression of opposition leaders and young protesters among the issues behind the march.

The faction has appealed to students, young people, women and workers to participate in the rally.

The proposed march will begin in the Rajabazar area of north Kolkata and conclude at Park Circus in central Kolkata. Both locations are major minority-dominated areas of the city.

The state BJP leadership, meanwhile, has criticised the proposed rally, describing it as a deliberate attempt to disturb Kolkata’s festive atmosphere ahead of Durga Puja, which is scheduled to begin towards the end of the week.

The next steps remain uncertain, with the Kolkata Police yet to clarify whether permission will be granted. The organisers’ response in the event of a refusal is also awaited.