Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday is set to stage a dharna at Dharmatala's Y-Channel, against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging attempt to ‘weaken her party through intimidation, coercion and the misuse of administrative machinery.’
The protest comes amid escalating political tensions in the state following a series of attacks on TMC leaders and workers in the aftermath of recent elections.
Addressing party supporters in a Facebook LIVE broadcast, Banerjee alleged that there was a concerted effort to destabilise the Trinamool Congress and suppress opposition voices. She claimed that “political pressure and state institutions were being used to target her party” and called upon opposition forces across the country “to resist” what she described as an “assault on democratic values.”
Mamata Banerjee to sit for Dharna
The dharna was originally scheduled to be held at Rani Rashmoni Road in central Kolkata. However, the programme became the subject of controversy after the police reportedly denied permission for the sit-in at the proposed venue. In response, Banerjee launched a sharp attack on both the BJP and the administration, accusing them of attempting to curb democratic protests.
In a defiant message, the Chief Minister declared that she was prepared to face any action against her, asserting that political intimidation would not silence the Trinamool Congress. She accused the BJP of using law enforcement agencies to engineer defections and weaken regional opposition parties ahead of future electoral contests.
The protest also sought to highlight alleged post-election violence and attacks on TMC functionaries in different parts of West Bengal. Party leaders claimed that workers had been subjected to threats and assaults in several districts, allegations that the BJP has repeatedly denied.
The Dharmatala protest is the first for Trinamool Congress as Opposition party in Bengal led by Banerjee following the conclusion of 3 consecutive terms. Over the years, the Trinamool supremo has frequently turned to sit-ins and demonstrations to amplify her political campaigns, whether against the Centre, the Election Commission, or issues concerning voter rights. Earlier this year, she led a high-profile dharna as Chief Minister at Metro Channel over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that genuine voters were being disenfranchised.
With the political atmosphere in West Bengal remaining highly charged, Banerjee's latest protest is being viewed as an attempt to consolidate party workers and project resistance against what the TMC describes as increasing political pressure from the BJP-led Centre. The Chief Minister also urged opposition parties within the INDIA bloc to take the issue beyond Bengal and mount a coordinated national response.
