Anubrata Mondal has reappeared on posters and banners in large gates set up to welcome chief minister Mamata Banerjee, after a hiatus of two years.

The Birbhum Trinamool strongman was released from Tihar jail on Monday. He is expected to be in Bolpur on Tuesday morning, coinciding with Mamata’s visit.

Mondal, arrested by the CBI in August 2022 for his alleged role in a cattle smuggling case, was granted regular bail by Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Friday.

“After his arrest, the use of his photographs in party programmes gradually decreased and was eventuallystopped. The decision was made due to internal debate among party leaders on featuring images of an imprisoned leader and if it would send the wrong message to the party’scadres,” said a TMC leader in Bolpur.

“Now Keshto da (as Mondal is fondly known by his followers) is back on posters and banners, just as before his arrest,” he added.

As Mondal’s return to Bolpur coincides with Mamata Banerjee’s visit to the district, party leaders close to him expressed joy.

“Tuesday is a big day for us. Not only will our chief minister Mamata Banerjee visit our district, our leaderAnubrata Mondal is also returning after a gap of two years. We will welcome both Didi and our leader with great enthusiasm,” said Chandranath Sinha, state correctional home minister and TMC MLA from Bolpur.

According to a source within the ruling party, at least 15 welcome gates have been set up in and around Bolpur and Santiniketan, featuring photographs of both Mondal and Mamata. The BolpurTraders’ Association has even set up a giantwelcome gate near Mondal’s house.

“We are waiting for a message from Didi (Mamata), who had previously instructed us to give Keshto da a hero’s welcome. We expect Didi will announce his reinstatement as the party’s district president,” said a party insider.

Despite Mondal being in Tihar jail for almosttwo years, Mamata did not replace him with a new party president.

Mamata will attend administrative meetings to review Birbhum district’s flood situation. She is expected to hold a political meeting with members of the core committee she had formed to manage the party’s affairs in Mondal’s absence.

A source revealed that at least 30 party leaders from Birbhum and East Burdwan have flown to Delhi to welcome him.

A TMC leader from the anti-Mondal camp, however, pointed out that the party performed better in the 2024 general election when he was in prison.

Before his arrest, Mondal received Y-categorysecurity. He will get the same on reaching Bengal, a police source said. Hisdaughter Sukanya, granted bail in the same case on September 10, will alsoget security.