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| Abhishek Banerjee; Shanku Deb Panda, who led the rally |
Abhishek Banerjee, who was supposed to lead Monday’s rally, chose to stay away from the march, prompting many to ask whether the no-show was linked to the lower-than-expected turnout.
Trinamul insiders said Mamata Banerjee was keen to turn Monday’s rally into a massive show of strength led by Abhishek, her nephew and Diamond Harbour MP.
“Mamatadi was not happy with the turnout. She had expected more students to attend the rally. At the last moment, she decided that Abhishek attending the rally would go against the party,” said a senior leader.
On Sunday night, Mamata had called a meeting with all senior leaders and asked them to marshal their resources and ensure an impressive turnout at the rally.
A senior Trinamul leader said Mamata also possibly realised that public mood was building up against the government after Saturday’s apolitical rally, which was attended by 40,000 people.
Abhishek’s post on his Facebook page on Sunday night set the tone for Monday’s rally. Placards with Abhishek’s message — Mod, ganja, charas bandho, tai ki pratibaader gandho (Alcohol, ganja and charas have been banned, is that the reason for the protest)? — were spotted in the rally.
The absence of “Trinamul’s Rahul Gandhi”, however, remained a topic of discussion.
This is not the first time that he has gone missing from action after firing the first salvo. During the recent Assembly bypolls, Mamata had fielded Abhishek to counter BJP president Amit Shah.
After holding a rally in Bowbazar, Abhishek was to campaign in Basirhat, but his schedule in the North 24-Parganas constituency was cancelled amid rumours that he had taken ill. Trinamul sources said Abhishek was not fielded after his Facebook post generated widespread criticism on social networking sites and many FB users made adverse comments on the post.
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