On Friday, Kolkata witnessed a sharp rise in political activity, reflecting the growing heat ahead of the 2026 Assembly election. The city became the centre of attention as the Trinamool Congress announced and carried out a protest rally against the recent raid by the Enforcement Directorate at the IPAC office. The rally was led from the front by TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.
A massive march from Jadavpur to Hazra
With the election only a few months away, the protest was widely viewed as a strategic political move. The rally started from Jadavpur and proceeded towards Hazra, covering a long stretch of the city. Thousands of supporters joined the march, turning it into a large-scale show of strength. Streets along the route were packed with people, slogans, and banners, making the rally one of the most visible political events in recent weeks.
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Mamata Banerjee leads from the front
Mamata Banerjee walked at the forefront and also set the tone of the rally. She waved to supporters lining the roads and walked with visible confidence and determination. Her presence at the front sent a clear message of confidence.
The rally also drew significant attention due to the presence of well-known figures from the Bengali film and television industry. Popular Tolly stars such as Dev, Parno, Soumitrisha, June Malia, Sohom, and Rachana Banerjee were seen walking alongside party workers and supporters.
Senior Trinamool leaders and ministers, including Sayoni Ghosh, Sujit Bose, Arup Biswas, Firhad Hakim, and Madan Mitra, were also present, highlighting the party’s effort to project unity and collective strength ahead of the crucial election.
Mamata Banerjee’s message to the crowd
Addressing supporters before the rally, Mamata Banerjee delivered a strong and emotive message. She stated that “Bengal will reach the global stage." She also alleged that the names of nearly two crore people had been removed from the voter's list and asserted that the Trinamool Congress was fighting against this and would continue its struggle.
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After the rally, the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, held a meeting at Hazra and denied the Enforcement Directorate’s claim that she interfered in a central investigation during the search at I-PAC’s office and said whatever she did was in her role as AITC chairperson and that she had done nothing wrong. Mamata also attacked Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and criticised the Election Commission of India over the SIR issue. Referring to the coal scam, she accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of benefiting from it. She claimed to have evidence stored on a pen drive but said she was not revealing it yet in the national interest, warning that her restraint has limits.
Overall, the rally was a clear signal of the Trinamool Congress’s readiness ahead of the 2026 Assembly election. Blending protest, political messaging, mass mobilisation, and cultural influence, the march turned into a high-impact event that set the tone for the months leading up to the polls in Kolkata and beyond.
