Congress Challenges TMC in West Bengal With July 21 Rally
The West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee has announced a rival mobilization on July 21, 2026, at Shahid Minar, challenging the Trinamool Congress’s historical monopoly over the date amidst internal ruling party fractures.
Key Takeaways
- The Congress party will host the โShahid Minar Chaloโ march on July 21, 2026.
- State leadership is demanding the public disclosure of the โManish Gupta fileโ regarding the 1993 police firing.
- AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal will arrive in Kolkata on June 29 for strategic organizational reviews.
With the Trinamool Congress facing internal divisions and uncertainty surrounding its traditional July 21 rally, the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee has announced its own programme at Shahid Minar, seeking to reclaim the political significance of the day.
State Congress President Shubhankar Sarkar declared that the party will organise a โShahid Minar Chaloโ (March to Shahid Minar) rally on July 21, 2026, to commemorate the martyrs of the July 21, 1993 movement.
Sarkar stated that the programme is aimed not only at paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the struggle to protect democracy and constitutional rights, but also at reaffirming the Congress partyโs commitment to safeguarding the Constitution, addressing youth concerns, supporting the working class, and protesting against rising prices and unemployment.
Demand for โManish Gupta Fileโ intensifies
Referring to the police firing on a Youth Congress rally on July 21, 1993โled by then Youth Congress leader Mamata BanerjeeโSarkar demanded the immediate release of the โManish Gupta file.โ
He noted that Manish Gupta, who was the Home Secretary of West Bengal at the time, played a administrative role during the incident.
โThe people of West Bengal have the right to know the truth behind the events, the administrative decisions taken, and the circumstances that led to the police firing. In the interest of transparency and accountability, the Manish Gupta file must be made public without delay,โ Sarkar asserted.
Organisational preparations underway
To ensure the smooth execution of the programme, veteran Congress leader and former West Bengal Youth Congress President Amitabha Chakraborty has been appointed as the chief convener. A full-fledged organising committee is expected to be formed under his leadership in the coming days.
Meanwhile, All India Congress Committee General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal is scheduled to visit Kolkata on June 29 and 30. During his visit, he will hold a series of organisational review meetings with state leadership aimed at strengthening the partyโs structure and strategy in West Bengal.
TMC to hold parallel rally
Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also announced that the TMC will organise its rally on the same day, setting the stage for parallel political mobilisation on July 21.
The Congress move comes at a time when the stateโs political landscape appears to be shifting. July 21, long associated with the TMC, is now witnessing renewed contestation, potentially turning the day into a significant political battleground in West Bengal.
History of the July 21 Movement
The significance of July 21 traces back to 1993 when the West Bengal Youth Congress, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, organized a march to Writers’ Buildings demanding voter identity cards to ensure fair elections against the Left Front regime. The protest resulted in police firing, leading to the tragic demise of 13 party workers. Following the schism in Congress and the subsequent formation of the Trinamool Congress in 1998, the day became the premier annual flagship event for the TMC to honor those individuals, a legacy that the Congress party is now actively attempting to reclaim.
FAQs
What is the significance of the July 21 rally in West Bengal?
The date commemorates a 1993 political demonstration where 13 Youth Congress activists were killed during a police firing incident in Kolkata. It has historically served as a major annual political rallying event in the state.
Why is the Congress party demanding the Manish Gupta file?
The Congress party seeks public transparency regarding administrative choices made during the 1993 clash. Manish Gupta served as the Home Secretary of West Bengal during the incident, and leadership believes his records hold critical insights.
Who is leading the organizational structure for the Congress rally?
Amitabha Chakraborty, a veteran leader and former state Youth Congress President, has been selected as the chief convener to manage the upcoming event setup and its organizational committee.
