Will Only Mamata Banerjee's Photos Feature at TMC's Martyrs' Day Event This Year?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Trinamool Congress will display only Mamata Banerjee's images at the Martyrs' Day event.
- This move aims to solidify her leadership ahead of the 2026 elections.
- Abhishek Banerjee's visibility is notably reduced.
- Political analysts view this as a strategic message about party unity.
- The event is expected to set the tone for upcoming electoral strategies.
Kolkata, June 14 (NationPress) - The leadership of the Trinamool Congress has issued a definitive directive to all levels of party leaders, instructing them to exclusively utilize images of Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, during this year's Martyrs' Day program on July 21. No other party leaders' images, including that of the party's general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee, are to be featured in the event, which takes place just before the significant West Bengal Assembly elections slated for next year.
This resolution was communicated during a meeting at the party's state headquarters in Kolkata, focused on finalizing the details for the annual Martyrs' Day event.
Senior Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhyay confirmed that the order to feature solely Mamata Banerjee's photographs originated from Abhishek Banerjee, who is also the Chief Minister's nephew.
“The finalized poster for the backdrop of the Martyrs' Day program exclusively displays the Chief Minister's image,” Bandopadhyay stated.
Political analysts interpret this move as carrying significant political implications. “Firstly, it signals to party leaders that Mamata Banerjee retains the sole authority over both administrative and organizational affairs. Secondly, it reinforces her position as the primary figure with mass appeal ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections,” noted a political observer based in the city.
During the preparatory meeting, Trinamool Congress district leaders were urged to begin organizing efforts to maximize attendance from their respective districts for the July 21 event.
At this gathering, the Chief Minister is expected to outline the party's strategic approach as the Assembly elections approach. It will be interesting to see whether she addresses the BJP and Congress-Left Front alliance equally or identifies the BJP as her main political rival in the state.