West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee struck a defiant note on Thursday, declaring that her party "will not bow to any malevolent forces" as it celebrated its foundation day and stepped into a crucial election year.
A Defiant Pledge on a Historic Day
Marking the 26th anniversary of the party's formation on January 1, 1998, Banerjee, in a statement posted on social media platform X, framed the TMC's journey as an unwavering commitment to its core philosophy of "Ma, Mati, Manush" (Mother, Land, and People). She expressed gratitude for the support of countless people, stating it was this backing that fueled the party's resolve to fight for every individual in the democratic nation.
"Disregarding all enmity, our struggle for the common people will continue lifelong," the Chief Minister asserted. She paid homage to the dedicated workers and supporters of the TMC family, whose efforts she credited for the party's endurance.
Election Year Kick-off with Mass Rally
Signaling the start of an aggressive campaign for the upcoming elections, the Trinamool Congress is launching 2024 with a major public meeting in Baruipur on Friday, January 5. The rally will be spearheaded by the party's national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, and is anticipated to draw a crowd of approximately two lakh people.
This event is set to be the first in a statewide series of gatherings that Abhishek Banerjee will address throughout the month. In a social media post, the TMC adopted a combative slogan, translating to "however much you attack, Bengal will emerge victorious again." The post emphasized that Abhishek Banerjee would be on the streets, standing with the people to resist what the party calls attempts to undermine democracy and disenfranchise legitimate voters.
Grassroots Outreach with 'Unnayener Panchali'
In a unique grassroots campaign strategy, the TMC will also distribute a booklet titled 'Unnayener Panchali' across the state. This publication narrates the development projects and social welfare schemes undertaken by the state government in the style of traditional Bengali narrative songs, or 'panchali'.
The outreach will unfold in two phases:
- In the initial phase, party workers will visit 1,800 eminent opinion-builders across Bengal, singing the panchali and personally handing them the booklets.
- Subsequently, the party aims to take this developmental narrative to every household in the state, ensuring a direct communication line with the electorate.
Echoing the CM's sentiments, Abhishek Banerjee also took to X, stating that as long as the party remains anchored to 'Ma, Mati, Manush', no arrogant or oppressive force could defeat the collective resolve of Bengal. He honored the grassroots workers as the true authors of the TMC's story, which began as a movement for change and has evolved into a powerful democratic force.
The foundation day statements and the planned mega rally clearly set the tone for the Trinamool Congress's campaign, positioning it as a party ready for a spirited battle, firmly rooted in its foundational principles and confident of its connect with the people of West Bengal.
