The East Burdwan Trinamul leadership has issued a whip to block leaders to mobilise at least 1 lakh party workers and supporters for Mamata Banerjee’s public meeting in Kalna town on November 30.

Sources said the district leadership was apprehensive of a lower-than-expected turnout because of factional feud, particularly in Ketugram, Bhatar, Galsi, Memari, Guskara and Mangalkot. Also, a section of the local unit is said to be unhappy with district Trinamul president and animal resources minister Swapan Debnath.

At a meeting held at Town Hall in Burdwan town on Wednesday with party leaders and representatives of rural bodies, Debnath told them to ensure a large gathering.

“I have asked the leaders to mobilise the maximum number of people to the chief minister’s rally. The district leadership will arrange for the required number vehicles,” Debnath told the Trinamul workers.

Sources said Debnath had warned the leaders of action in case the target was not met. “We will monitor who is bringing how many people with them. Those who will mobilise less people will come under the scanner and if necessary will face punishment,” a party leader quoted Debnath as saying.

Debnath, however, did not clarify what kind of punishment could be meted out.

Trinamul sources said that if the leaders of various factions and the dissidents were put under pressure, then they would be more active.

According to the sources, Trinamul had been hit hard by factionalism and squabbles over forming of boards at rural bodies since the process started in August. In Galsi-I and II blocks and Burdwan-I, the party rank and file chose the functionaries through voting, disobeying the leadership’s selection.

“The factions squabble over taking control of the illegal sand-lifting trade along the Ajay and Damodar rivers. All of them want to get posts either in the party or at the rural bodies to be in a position to command the trade,” said a Trinamul insider.

A large section of Trinamul leaders and workers are said to be unhappy with Debnath. The party is worried that some dissidents are secretly maintaining contact with the BJP.

“We have already identified those maintaining contacts with the BJP through a traitor who was once in our party. Action will be taken against them,” a Trinamul leader quoted Debnath as saying at the meeting, hinting at Mukul Roy.

Debnath, however, officially denied any factionalism or dissidence in the party.

The rally was earlier supposed to be held at the police line ground in Burdwan town but later shifted to Kalna on Mamata’s order.