TMC split casts shadow on July 21 event; Cong finds opportunity

With the Trinamool Congress (TMC) facing internal fractures and uncertainty looming over its annual July 21 rally, the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee has moved to reclaim the political significance of the day by announcing its own programme at Shahid Minar in Kolkata.

State Congress President Shubhankar Sarkar declared that the party will organise a “Shahid Minar Chalo” (March to Shahid Minar) rally on July 21, 2026, to commemorate the martyrs of the July 21, 1993 movement.

Sarkar stated that the programme aims not only to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the struggle to protect democracy and constitutional rights, but also to reaffirm the Congress party’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the Constitution, addressing youth concerns, supporting the working class, and protesting against rising prices and unemployment.

Referring to the police firing on a Youth Congress rally on July 21, 1993, led by the then youth Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, Sarkar demanded the immediate release of the “Manish Gupta file.” He pointed out that Gupta, who served as the Home Secretary of West Bengal at the time, held a crucial administrative role during the incident.

“The people of West Bengal have the right to know the truth behind the events, the administrative decisions taken, and the circumstances that led to the police firing. In the interest of transparency and accountability, the Manish Gupta file must be made public without delay,” Sarkar asserted.

To ensure the smooth execution of the programme, veteran Congress leader and former West Bengal Youth Congress President Amitabha Chakraborty has been appointed as the chief convener. A full-fledged organising committee is expected to be constituted under his leadership in the coming days.

Meanwhile, All India Congress Committee General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal is scheduled to visit Kolkata on June 29 and 30. During his visit, he will hold a series of organisational review meetings with state leadership to strengthen the party’s structure and strategy in West Bengal.

Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also announced that the TMC will organise a rally on the same day. The Congress move comes at a time when the political landscape in the state appears to be shifting, with the significance of July 21 — long associated with the TMC — now witnessing renewed contestation.

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