No permission for 21 July rally, Kalighat-TMC alters poster with 'Kolkata-Chalo' slogan

The Kalighat faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, has modified its traditional promotional strategy for the upcoming July 21 Martyrs' Day rally. After Kolkata Police officially rejected their formal application to gather at the iconic Dharmatala intersection due to the enforcement of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the camp altered its iconic "Dharmatala Chalo" slogan. The newly unveiled promotional posters, featuring images of Mamata and Abhishek, now display the broader call of "Kolkata Chalo" to bypass local administrative bans.

This strategic change marks a massive shift from previous annual observations where the entire state capital was decorated with posters directing supporters to central Esplanade for a festive commemorative event. Following the extensive split within the TMC post the 2026 assembly elections, both the loyalist Kalighat camp and the rebel Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction had staked simultaneous claims to hold their respective programs at the historic Victoria House venue. While the police department implemented a 60-day prohibitory order blocking all access to Dharmatala, the loyalist camp has rushed to the Calcutta High Court to legally resolve the complex rally permissions.

In a contrasting administrative development, state police authorities under Director General Siddhanath Gupta have granted the rebel Ritabrata camp official clearance to host their alternative "martyr's memorial" program at the base of the Gandhi Statue on July 21. Representatives from the dissident wing are scheduled to inspect the designated grounds to lay down logistical arrangements. Meanwhile, the unyielding Kalighat camp is actively formulating emergency contingency measures, mapping blueprints to host multiple synchronized smaller public meetings scattered across different parts of the city if the High Court fails to grant centralized clearance.