Kolkata, Jun 1: A day after an alleged attack on Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, a scheduled meeting of the party’s newly elected legislators at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Kalighat residence was effectively called off after only 20 of the 80 MLAs attended.

The absence of nearly three-fourths of the legislators sparked political speculation. However, the TMC dismissed concerns, stating that many MLAs were engaged in organising protests on the ground over alleged political violence and therefore could not attend the meeting.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said the developments following Saturday’s attack on Abhishek Banerjee and the alleged assault on party MP Kalyan Banerjee had altered the party’s immediate priorities.

Speaking to reporters outside Mamata Banerjee’s Kalighat residence, where the meeting had been scheduled for 3 pm, Ghosh said several legislators were occupied with protest activities in their respective areas and dealing with police action against party workers.

“Many MLAs informed the legislative party about the situation on the ground and requested that the meeting be postponed for the time being. The party accepted the request and decided to defer the meeting,” he said.

According to Ghosh, a number of legislators were also assisting party workers who had allegedly been detained or arrested during protests.

Despite the low attendance, party sources said Mamata Banerjee held informal discussions with the MLAs who were present at the meeting venue.

Fresh Protest Programmes Announced
The TMC has now decided to intensify its protest campaign over the next 48 hours.

Ghosh announced that block-level rallies in rural areas and ward-level demonstrations in urban centres would be organised on Monday to protest against the alleged attacks on Abhishek Banerjee, Kalyan Banerjee and party workers.

He alleged that TMC leaders and workers were being targeted through what he described as “post-poll terror” unleashed by the BJP government led by Suvendu Adhikari.

The TMC leader further said the party would organise a one-day symbolic dharna on Tuesday at Rani Rashmoni Road in Kolkata’s Esplanade area.

The sit-in protest will be led by Mamata Banerjee and will focus on allegations of post-poll violence as well as the eviction of hawkers through bulldozer drives across the state, he said.

Also Read: Police Arrest Six Over Heckling, Assault on TMC Leader Abhishek Banerjee

Ghosh added that the party’s next political programme would be announced from the dharna venue on June 2.

While the legislative party meeting has been postponed, the TMC maintained that all its legislators remain united and firmly stand with the party leadership amid the ongoing political developments.

The cancellation of the meeting, informal consultations at Kalighat and the announcement of a fresh round of protests mark the party’s immediate response to the attacks on its leaders and the action taken against its workers, with the TMC now preparing to take its campaign to the streets over the next two days.