'Will Fight Or Die': Mamata Banerjee Leads Kolkata Dharna, Stages Protest Over Alleged Attacks on TMC Leaders

Kolkata: Former West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday held a day-long sit-in in central Kolkata to protest against alleged post-poll attacks on party workers and leaders, particularly the attack on her nephew and TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur.

What was the protest about?

After the TMC's appeal to hold the protest at the adjacent Rani Rashmoni Road was turned down by the Kolkata Police, on Tuesday Mamata Banerjee held protest at Esplanade's Y-channel.

Several senior TMC leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee, Madan Mitra, and Kalyan Banerjee, joined the march. The atmosphere became tense during the protest. There were altercations and scuffles between the police and protesters, leading to a tense situation for some time.

TMC leaders including Firhad Hakim, Madan Mitra, Derek O’Brien, Kalyan Banerjee and Dola Sen stood by Mamata Banerjee throughout the protest.

What did Mamata Banerjee say?

While addressing the crowd using a megaphone, Banerjee said that, "We were not given permission to set up a stage or use microphones."

Mamata Banerjee addressed the TMC supporters, who chanted "Mamata Banerjee Zindabad." 

From Esplanade's Y-channel, Banerjee said that, "Will continue to fight and defeat BJP."

At the protest site, she said, "TMC leaders are being threatened in Bengal by cops."

"Ladenge ya marenge (I will fight or die)," she chanted at the dharna site.

What led to protest by TMC?

The TMC protested against post-election violence and alleged attacks on party leaders. The party says its leaders and workers are being continuously targeted. The protests began after TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee was allegedly attacked while visiting a party worker's home in Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas district. This incident significantly increased tension in the state's politics.