Trinamool Congress Aims for Record Turnout at Martyrs' Day Event Amid Absence of Abhishek Banerjee

The Trinamool Congress has set a goal for itself to surpass all previous attendance records at its Martyrs' Day celebration on July 21 at the Esplanade here.

Subrata Bakshi, the state president of the party, made the request in writing because national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee is ill and cannot be there.

Following its remarkable showing in the general election, where it secured 29 of Bengal's 42 Lok Sabha seats, Mamata Banerjee's party would host its yearly grand celebration. This would make it the third-largest member of the INDIA bloc, behind the Congress and the Samajwadi Party.

"Considering the historic occasion, we hope to have an unprecedented turnout this time around. However, regrettably, we are having to assemble this in almost complete absence of our shenapoti (general)," a Trinamool insider stated, referring to Abhishek.

Prior to the July 21 celebration, Abhishek, the three-term Diamond Harbour MP, is probably going to travel overseas for medical attention.

Though it would be incomplete without him, it is unknown if he could make it. More so because he has been organizing the event for years and has guided our party from the front this time, partnering with his aunt at every turn, guaranteeing our success," a senior TMC official stated.

"In the event that he is absent, Bakshida is currently taking the necessary action. However, we can't completely rule out the chance that Abhishek will be present on the dais on July 21," he continued.

The leader went on, "He did discuss taking a break from party organization due to a health issue, but he has been leading our parliamentary party from the front this session, independently, and in the INDIA space."