NewKerala.com

Key Points

The Trinamool Congress has directed that only Mamata Banerjee's photos be used at this year's Martyrs' Day event, sidelining other leaders including her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. The move reinforces her undisputed authority ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Political observers see this as a clear message about her singular leadership in both party and government matters. The event is expected to outline TMC's campaign strategy against BJP and the Congress-Left alliance.

Key Points: Mamata Banerjee Sole Face at TMC Martyrs Day Ahead of Bengal Polls

  • TMC bans all leader photos except Mamata at Martyrs' Day
  • Decision reportedly pushed by Abhishek Banerjee
  • Signals Mamata's unchallenged control before 2026 polls
  • Event to set campaign tone against BJP and Left-Congress
2 min read

Only Mamata Banerjee's photos to be used at TMC's Martyrs' Day programme this year

TMC mandates only Mamata Banerjee's photos at Martyrs' Day event, sidelining other leaders including Abhishek Banerjee, signaling her unchallenged dominance.

"The poster for Martyrs’ Day has the Chief Minister’s picture only – Sudip Bandopadhyay"

Kolkata, June 14

Trinamool Congress leadership, on Saturday, gave clear instructions to the leaders in all ranks to refrain from using pictures of any party leader other than West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the programme on the party’s annual Martyrs’ Day this year on July 21.

Not even the picture of the party’s general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee would be used at the annual programme this year, which is the last before the crucial West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled next year.

This decision was conveyed at a meeting of Trinamool Congress at the party’s state headquarters in Kolkata on Saturday, which was convened to finalise the final blueprint for the ‘Martyrs’ Day’ programme this year.

Veteran Trinamool Congress leader and the party leader in Lok Sabha, Sudip Bandopadhyay, confirmed that the instruction to use only Mamata Banerjee’s pictures at the party’s ‘Martyrs’ Day’ programme came from none other than Abhishek Banerjee, who is also the nephew of the Chief Minister.

“The poster that is finalised for the background of the dais of the ‘Martyrs’ Day’ programme this year has the picture of the Chief Minister only,” Sudip Bandopadhyay said on Saturday.

Political observers feel that using only the picture of Mamata Banerjee’s photograph in this ‘Martyrs’ Day’ programme also sends subtle political messages. “The first message is for the party leaders that Mamata Banerjee continues to have not just the ‘final’ but also the ‘only’ say in both administrative and organisational matters. Secondly, she continues to be the only face of mass appeal before the 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls,” said a city-based political observer.

Meanwhile, at the preparatory meeting on Saturday, Trinamool Congress's district leaders were asked to start preparations for ensuring maximum turnouts from the respective districts for the July 21 programme this year.

At the programme, the Chief Minister is expected to outline the campaign line for the party ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled next year. It is to be seen whether she keeps the BJP and Congress-Left Front alliance in equal parlance in her speech or identifies the saffron camp as her principal political opponent in the state.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
This seems like a smart political move before elections. Didi is clearly asserting her position as the undisputed leader. In Bengal politics, personality cult works better than collective leadership. But I wonder how junior leaders feel about this? 🤔
P
Priya M.
As a Bengali, I find this concerning. Martyrs' Day should honor those who sacrificed, not become a platform for personality projection. TMC is forgetting its roots. Remember how they criticized CPM for similar things? Power seems to change everyone...
A
Amit S.
Typical Indian political drama! One leader show continues. Meanwhile, common people want development, not these symbolic power games. When will our politicians understand this basic thing?
S
Sunita R.
Mamata didi knows what she's doing. After all, she's the one who brought change to Bengal. If she wants to be the sole face of TMC, it's her right. Other leaders should support her vision fully. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
D
Deepak B.
Interesting strategy before elections. But is this sustainable in long term? What about grooming next generation leaders? Even Modi ji has Shah and others visible. Complete one-person show might backfire eventually.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50