She accused the dissident camp of trying to gain control of the party’s name, election symbol and funds, but asserted that the party’s real strength lay with its workers and supporters rather than formal recognition alone.
Banerjee said that even if the rebels were somehow able to secure the party symbol, she would still take her fight directly to the people. “You will have to kill me to silence my voice,” she said, striking a defiant note as she sought to rally the organisation around her leadership.
She also sought to reassure party workers over uncertainty surrounding Trinamool’s annual Martyrs’ Day rally on 21 July, saying the programme would go ahead as scheduled despite the turmoil within the party. Kolkata Police have already granted permission for the event at its traditional venue near Esplanade in central Kolkata.
“If necessary, I will stand on a rickshaw and organise the rally,” Banerjee said, underscoring her intent to project control over the party and its street mobilisation machinery despite the growing challenge from within.
With IANS inputs
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