The Trinamul Congress on Friday decided to conduct its marquee Martyrs’ Day event on July 21 offline this time — after a two-year hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic — and ensure record-shattering crowds at the event in Calcutta.

Top leaders of Trinamul — other than Mamata Banerjee — attended a meeting convened by national general-secretary Abhishek Banerjee in the afternoon to decide on the course of action for the July 21 event. Organisational office-bearers, district unit chiefs, MPs and some MLAs were present. The July 21 event had been held virtually in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic.

“We could not make the public meetings happen over the past couple of years because of Covid-19. The pandemic is not over yet, but it is currently at a very controlled stage in the state…. This time, we will go back to our traditional event, including the public meeting. It will see a historic, unprecedented headcount,” said Trinamul secretary-general Partha Chatterjee after Friday’s meeting.

“The entire nation is looking to Mamata Banerjee now…. The event will comprise invitees and Trinamul leaders from other states. Those details will be shared when finalised,” he added. “We will conduct a mega campaign, down to the booth-level, to ensure grand success. From the north to the south, people will come from everywhere.”

Abhishek reportedly told the attendees that stern warnings should be issued against using the event as an excuse to raise money. “Even 10 paise cannot be taken as chanda (subscription) in the name of the event. If someone does it, serious action would be initiated within 48 hours. There will be zero tolerance,” he was quoted to have said.

In 2021, although Mamata had promised a spectacular Martyrs’ Day rally after the Assembly election victory — with likely participation of major players in the national Opposition, the event had to be conducted virtually in the wake of the devastating second wave.

The past two July 21 events comprised a speech delivered by Mamata from her residence, broadcast live for small gatherings at the booth-level in every block or ward of the state. Last year’s address was also broadcast in other states, such as Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Tripura.

A senior in the leadership said the coming Martyrs’ Day event would be timely as several incidents over the past four to six months had caused “a bit of demoralisation” in sections of the rank and file.

“A proper mass meeting, with Didi leading from the front and delivering a fiery speech is just what the doctor ordered,” he said.

Trinamul state general-secretary Kunal Ghosh said the return of the public meeting was a major emotive issue for workers and sympathisers of the party.

“Most importantly, from that dais, she would give the clarion call for the historic fight in 2024,” said Ghosh.