Kolkata, July 15 -- Ahead of the Trinamool Congress' July 21 Martyrs' Day programme, party chief Mamata Banerjee struck a defiant note during a Facebook Live on Wednesday, saying the party would continue its political fight with its workers and supporters. She also asserted that the July 21 programme at Birla Planetarium would be held as scheduled despite alleged attempts to create obstacles.

Banerjee said she would inspect the venue on July 20 as usual and urged the police to ensure there was no disruption by the BJP or the "setting party". Alleging that decorators and microphone suppliers could be intimidated, she said the rally would go ahead regardless. "Even with our bare voices, we can hold the meeting. Once we have announced it, the programme will be held," she said.

Referring to the ongoing political turmoil within the party, Banerjee said those who wished to go could do so, but maintained that the party's real strength lay in its lakhs of dedicated workers. Calling them her "golden workers", she apologised to the people for "betrayers", saying voters had elected them on the Trinamool symbol.

Without naming Madan Mitra who left the camp on the same day, Banerjee alleged that some leaders were being pressured through central agencies and the police. She claimed she had sensed one leader's political move after being informed that members of the leader's family had been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate. She also alleged that people were being threatened with investigations unless they changed political allegiance.

Recalling the party's early struggles, Banerjee said she had built the Trinamool from her office and had fought elections soon after receiving the party symbol in 1998. Referring to the difficult political phase of 2004, she said she had rebuilt the organisation once before and could do so again.

"If I could start from scratch in 1997-98 and continue the fight in 2004, I have the strength to start again in 2026," she said, while asserting that she had never compromised her ideals or values for political convenience. She also defended MP Abhishek Banerjee, saying he would continue fighting for the party for the next 50 years.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.