kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata | July 18 : Preparations for the annual July 21 rally have gathered momentum, with both factions of the Trinamool Congress stepping up organisational efforts ahead of the politically significant event. In a fresh move aimed at ensuring smooth participation of party workers, the faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee has decided to issue special identification badges to supporters attending its programme at the Gandhi Statue in central Kolkata.

The badges are being introduced as a security measure to help identify workers belonging to what the Ritabrata camp describes as the "Original Trinamool." The leadership believes the badges will help prevent unnecessary inconvenience for party supporters while travelling to and entering the rally venue.

The decision was finalised during a series of organisational meetings held over the past few days to ensure the success of the July 21 gathering. Senior leaders, including Firhad Hakim, Arup Roy and Sandipan Saha, have been actively involved in planning the mobilisation strategy and overall arrangements for the event.

Sources said the leadership has decided that workers arriving from different districts as well as various wards of Kolkata will receive the special badges before attending the programme at the Gandhi Statue. Party leaders believe the identification cards will make it easier for volunteers and organisers to recognise participants and ensure that they are not subjected to any alleged harassment or obstruction while travelling to the venue.

Friday, a key organisational meeting was held in the office of the Leader of the Opposition inside the West Bengal Assembly. During the meeting, badges were distributed among party MLAs and district presidents, while discussions were also held on organisational strategies aimed at countering the influence of the Kalighat faction of the Trinamool Congress in the run-up to the July 21 event.

The preparations come amid continuing political realignments within the party. According to sources associated with the Ritabrata camp, defections from the Kalighat faction have continued in recent weeks, and the leadership expects more prominent leaders and workers to switch sides before the July 21 programmes.

Although neither faction has publicly described the event as a direct contest, political observers believe this year's July 21 gatherings will effectively serve as competing demonstrations of organisational strength. Both camps are working aggressively to maximise attendance and project public support through parallel programmes.

The Mamata Banerjee-led Kalighat faction has received permission from the Calcutta High Court to organise its July 21 rally near the Birla Planetarium. However, the court has directed that attendance at that venue should not exceed 2,500 people. In contrast, no similar numerical restriction has reportedly been imposed on the programme proposed by the Ritabrata Banerjee faction at the Gandhi Statue.

Sources further indicated that the Kalighat camp is placing considerable emphasis on digital outreach and social mobilisation to attract supporters, while the Ritabrata faction is focusing on large-scale physical participation from districts and urban units across the state.

To strengthen organisational coordination, Ritabrata Banerjee, Sandipan Saha, Arup Roy, Firhad Hakim and Chandrima Bhattacharya have reportedly held multiple meetings with members of the party's working committee, MLAs and district leaders over the past several days. It was during these discussions that the decision to introduce the special identification badges was formally approved.

The party insiders, the badges are expected to serve a dual purpose. Besides making it easier to identify supporters belonging to the "Original Trinamool," they are also intended to help ensure that participants are able to reach the rally venue without facing unnecessary obstacles. Meanwhile, leaders of the Kalighat faction have reportedly instructed their supporters to attend the programme carrying the party's official election symbol as a visible display of loyalty.

July 21 approaches, both Trinamool factions are intensifying preparations, with organisational meetings, mobilisation drives and symbolic initiatives reflecting the growing significance of this year's observance. The parallel rallies are widely expected to become a major test of political strength and grassroots support for the rival camps within the party.