Mamata's big show in Kolkata today

Kolkata -Braving inclement weather, thousands of Trinamool Congress supporters across West Bengal have started gathering at the city's nerve centre at Esplanade here on Saturday to participate in the July 21 Martyr's Day rally observed every year since 1993 by Mamata Banerjee to remember the 13 people shot dead by the police during a rally led by her as a Youth Congress leader 20 years ago.

 The crackdown on the rally and the subsequent deaths took place this day (July 21) in 1992 and since then Mamata Banerjee has been observing the day as a Martyr's Day.

While several senior Trinamool Congress leaders like Railway Minister Mukul Roy and West Bengal Industry Minister Partha Chattopadhayay are already at the venue, Mamata Banerjee would arrive at around 1 pm to address the gathering which has already turned into a sea of humanity.

Chants of "Bande Mataram" have filled the air with leaders keeping their followers charged till the West Bengal Chief Minister arrived.

Microphones blared patriotic songs as the people from far off places await the arrival of their leader.

Several Trinamool leaders also began delivering speeches and hailing Mamata Banerjee for her leadership and the feat of ousting a 34-year-long Left Front rule last year.

Ahead of the Martyr's Day, Mamata Banerjee in her Facebook post said: "Ever since 1993, every year July 21 brings back excruciating pain and agony to our memory, of the barbaric act of violence and brutal firing meted out by the previous Left Front Government."

"This shameful act claimed loss of thirteen precious lives of innocent youth and serious injury to two hundred persons...What was it for which, they had to sacrifice their lives? Demand was ‘No EPIC (Electoral Photo Identity Card), no Vote’ – to ensure a free and fair election," she wrote.

"The voice of democratic demand raised in a peaceful procession, was stifled with bullets and violence... Every year, 21st July is dedicated to ‘Sahid family’ belonging to different democratic movements. So, this day is memorable and painful... Through the supreme sacrifice of their lives on the streets of Kolkata, the martyrs inspired and strengthened our grit, zeal and determination to fight and to establish democratic rights and unveil the misrule of the Left Front Government," she wrote.

"On 21st July, we salute to the Martyrs of different democratic movements. Let us bow our heads down, pay obeisance and remember their invaluable sacrifice and also take a pledge to rededicate ourselves to continue to fight for the cause of ‘Maa Mati Manush’ and build a harmonious, peaceful and prosperous Bengal, where the head is held high and the mind is without fear," the Trinamool chief wrote.