The Congress in Malda observed the party’s foundation day with much spectacle after more than a decade, which many believe is an attempt to enthuse its workers in a region which was once considered the party’s bastion in Bengal.

Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury a.k.a Dalu, the South Malda MP and the district president of the party who had skipped public meetings in the past three months after being infected with the novel coronavirus, led the 136th foundation day celebrations at Hayat Bhavan, the district headquarters of the Congress.

Few recollect Congress leaders celebrating the foundation day with such fervour this decade.

“We wanted to mark the foundation day in a more organised way as we wanted to convey a message to our workers that we should not give up our fight against the ruling parties in the state and at the Centre,” said Isha Khan Choudhury, a Congress MLA.

Members of the Congress’s different wings attended the celebration where sweets were distributed. There was a huge gathering at the event.

The Congress has six MLAs and an MP in the district. In the past elections, the Congress used to sweep Malda which accounts for 12 MLAs and two MPs.

During the time of A.B.A. Ghani Khan Choudhury, a seven-time MP from Malda and former railway minister, the Congress had a strong grip in the region.

However, over the last couple of years, even family members of Ghani Khan, including his brother Abu Naser and nieces Mausam Noor and Shehnaz Quadery, left the Congress for Trinamul.

Political observers believe with the rise of the BJP in Malda and the inroads being made by Trinamul into the district, the Congress is facing the heat from two ends.

“They are trying all means to connect with the people and hold on to their constituency. Today’s event is a pointer,” said an observer.

“We have voters and supporters. The only factor is they have to be organised again. The Congress has been doing that relentlessly,” said Kalisadhan Roy, district working president of the party.

In the first week of December, the Congress had organised a mega rally as well in Malda.