Political Rivalry Heats Up as Rahul Gandhi Concludes Yatra in Bengal, Trinamul Plans Counter Rally

On the last day of the Bengal part of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi traveled through the area, and on Sunday, the Trinamul Congress will hold a rally there.

this Friday. Riding a crimson convertible, Rahul left Majhipara on the border with Murshidabad to begin his Yatra in Birbhum. His Nyay Yatra's Bangla leg came to a conclusion in Rajgram, and the procession thereafter reached Pakur in Jharkhand. About 60 kilometers were traversed by the Yatra in the Birbhum district.

The same distance would be covered by Trinamul's demonstration, which would express gratitude to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her statement that the 21 lakh MGNREGA workers will get their due salaries by February 21 and protest against the "deprivation to Bengal" perpetrated by the Narendra Modi administration at the federal level.

On Sunday at about 3 p.m., Trinamul will hold a rally in Majhipara, which is near the Birbhum-Murshidabad border. The demonstration will encompass the Assembly segments of Hasan, Rampurhat, Nalhati, and Murarai.

"The majority of our leaders and party activists would ride two-wheelers to cross the distance between Birbhum's Jharkhand border and Murshidabad border. Thousands of people are expected to attend the massive event, according to deputy Speaker and Rampurhat-based Trinamul MLA Asish Banerjee.

However, the deputy Speaker—the most senior member of Birbhum's Trinamul core committee—refused to acknowledge that the purpose of Trinamul's protest was to oppose Rahul's Yatra.

Numerous Trinamul sources verified that the gathering was scheduled for Saturday night on the directions of senior Trinamul officials in Calcutta, notwithstanding the official denial. Rathul's Yatra was halted due to Madhyamik examinations, but Trinamul quickly organized a demonstration for Sunday—a day without exams—and assured that there would be no microphones.

According to a source, Rahul's Yatra went through the area of Birbhum known as the Trinamul stronghold and minority belt, and at several spots it garnered enormous crowds.

"The Bengali Congress leaders chose a particular area for Rahul's Yatra. Places like Murarai and Nalhati, which were once strongholds of the Congress before Trinamul took office, were specifically targeted. A Trinamul leader said, "Our rally will be a counter to the Congress-Left's attempts to divide minority votes."

Congress officials said that Trinamul was anxious ahead of the Lok Sabha elections due to the Yatra's success.

"Despite all of their attempts to create obstacles by employing the police and the government, Trinamul and its leader Mamata Banerjee grew terrified upon seeing the sizable numbers in favor of Rahul Gandhi. Milton Rashid, the head of the Congress Birbhum district, said, "That is the reason they planned a rally on the same route that our great leader covered."