Trinamool factions, Congress plan show of strength in Kolkata on Martyrs’ Day
Political factions in West Bengal, including the Trinamool Congress and Congress, are organizing competing rallies in Kolkata to mark Martyrs' Day. The event highlights deep internal divisions within the opposition as they attempt to challenge the ruling BJP government.
Why it matters
The fragmentation of the opposition in West Bengal significantly impacts the state's political landscape and the effectiveness of challenges against the incumbent government.
The stage is set for Martrys’ Day rallies on Tuesday (July 21, 2026), which has emerged as an opportunity for non-Left Opposition parties in West Bengal to flex their political muscle for the first time since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government came to power in the State almost two months ago.
With the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the throes of a crisis, the occasion is an opportunity for the party’s two factions — the first led by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the rebel group led by Ritabrata Banerjee — to rally their supporters in a public display.
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