New Delhi:
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee will hold a mega rally of Opposition parties at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground on Saturday. At least 25 top political leaders of Opposition parties, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, NCP’s Sharad Yadav, DMK chief MK Stalin and estranged BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha, are have reached Kolkata to attend the "United India Rally”. The rally is in lines with Mamata Banerjee’s efforts to forge an anti-BJP federal front for the coming Lok Sabha elections 2019. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav are among the top leaders who will occupy the stage.
Although Congress president Rahul Gandhi expressed his support for the rally in his letter to the West Bengal CM, it was highly unlikely that he would turn up for the rally. Instead of Gandhi, top Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Abhishek Manu Singhvi will attend the rally. The TMC has claimed that around 40 lakh people are likely to reach the Brigade Parade Ground for the rally, which could be the biggest ever political rally at least in last 10 decades. However, the Kolkata police said that the ground can hold around 7 Lakh people.
The "United India Rally” will project Banerjee as a major political force to reckon with against the ruling BJP. Experts believe the rally, where the leaders of most Opposition parties will be present, would also endorse the West Bengal CM as Opposition’s PM candidate against BJP’s Narendra Modi in 2019.
Below are the live updates of TMC's Brigade Parade Ground rally:
The rally ends with the slogan "Badal do, badal do, Dilli mein sarkar badal do"
The historic #UnitedIndiaAtBrigade rally ends with the slogan "Badal do, badal do, Dilli mein sarkar badal do" pic.twitter.com/yfIyMZX9Zq
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 19, 2019
BJP has two seats in West Bengal. They will lose that very soon: Mamata Banerjee
BJP got enough days to deliver good days (acche din) but they didn't care at all: Mamata Banerjee
A new government will be formed at the Centre. It is inevitable. Their expiry date has come. This is people's verdict: Mamata Banerjee
Tyaag ka naam hai Hindu, Imaan ka naam hai Musalman, Pyaar ka naam hai Isaai, Sikhon ka naam hain balidaan. Yeh humara pyara Hindustan: @MamataOfficial #UnitedIndiaAtBrigade pic.twitter.com/CiUdPEomIU
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 19, 2019
We will not allow riots in the name of ‘Rath Yatra’, says Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Opposition rally in Kolkata: Danga laga do, fasaad laga do, ek hi unka (BJP) issue hai, Hum Bengal main 'Rath Yatra' ke naam pe danga-fasaad nahi karne denge. pic.twitter.com/FbqCWe8oLK
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2019
It doesn't matter who will be the Prime Minister but BJP must be defeated, says Mamata Banerjee
The credibility of CBI has been destroyed, says Mamata Banerjee.
The credibility of CBI has been destroyed: @MamataOfficial #UnitedIndiaAtBrigade
WATCH LIVE >> https://t.co/IjQtPwzly7 pic.twitter.com/FPvz4hEE2z
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 19, 2019
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, "We are not afraid of intimidation tactics. We have to save the country".
#UnitedIndiaAtBrigade @RJDforIndia leader @yadavtejashwi says: "We are not afraid of intimidation tactics. We have to save the country"
WATCH LIVE >> https://t.co/IjQtPwzly7 pic.twitter.com/TmZUr0Uwgk
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 19, 2019
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee begins her speech at United India Rally, says "We will work together to bring a new dawn for the country".
We will work together to bring a new dawn for the country: @MamataOfficial #UnitedIndiaAtBrigade pic.twitter.com/qZ8VdxnKK6
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 19, 2019
A sea of people at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground during Mamata Banerjee's United India rally.
It's been more than three hours since #UnitedIndiaAtBrigade rally started. People are patiently sitting at the venue, listening to every speech by national leaders pic.twitter.com/afkFjAWI65
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 19, 2019
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge reads a message from Sonia Gandhi: "The upcoming general elections will be on the faith of restoring democracy in our country."
#UnitedIndiaAtBrigade @INCIndia leader Mallikarjun Kharge reads a message from Sonia Gandhi: "The upcoming general elections will be on the faith of restoring democracy in our country"
WATCH LIVE >> https://t.co/IjQtPwzly7 pic.twitter.com/LUAHrRwfMi
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 19, 2019
"Today is a historic day for the country. The Shah-Modi duo have destroyed the country. We have to defeat Modi and Shah at any cost," says Arvind Kejriwal at United India Rally.
#UnitedIndiaAtBrigade Delhi Chief Minister @ArvindKejriwal says: "Today is a historic day for the country. The Shah-Modi duo have destroyed the country"
WATCH LIVE >> https://t.co/IjQtPwzly7 pic.twitter.com/AvvJLcwATK
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 19, 2019
"Jo baat Bengal se chalegi, woh desh mein dikhai degi (What started from Bengal, will be seen all across the country)," says Akhilesh Yadav.
"Jo baat Bengal se chalegi, woh desh mein dikhai degi (What started from Bengal, will be seen all across the country)," says @yadavakhilesh at #UnitedIndiaRally in Kolkata
Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/R2JKLKEIvN pic.twitter.com/5mVidNXYMD
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) January 19, 2019
DMK Chief MK Stalin,Congress's Mallikarjun Kharge, BSP's Satish Mishra and SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav at opposition rally in Kolkata.
DMK Chief MK Stalin,Congress's Mallikarjun Kharge, BSP's Satish Mishra and SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav at opposition rally in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/lyRQ1lSwlI
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2019
"The upcoming general elections in May will be the second freedom struggle of the country," says DMK's Stalin.
"The upcoming general elections in May will be the second freedom struggle of the country," says DMK chief @mkstalin at #UnitedIndiaRally in Kolkata
Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/R2JKLKEIvN pic.twitter.com/1cdKZEumZS
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) January 19, 2019
"Clouds are parting. A rainbow of political parties is forming. The time for a coalition has arrived," says Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singvi.
Clouds are parting. A rainbow of political parties is forming. The time for a coalition has arrived," says @DrAMSinghvi at #UnitedIndiaRally in Kolkata
Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/R2JKLKEIvN pic.twitter.com/Sq2n3qtRWg
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) January 19, 2019
Former MP Sharad Yadav says: "Not one institution is left, which has not been destroyed by the current govt at Centre."
"Not one institution is left, which has not been destroyed by the current govt at the Centre," says @SharadYadavMP at #UnitedIndiaRally in Kolkata
Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/R2JKLKEIvN pic.twitter.com/zICGyMUauH
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) January 19, 2019
Former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah, says: "The BJP is dividing people on the basis of religion. We must all come together to defeat the divisive forces."
"The BJP is dividing people on the basis of religion. We must all come together to defeat the divisive forces," says Jammu and Kashmir National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah at #UnitedIndiaRally in Kolkata
Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/R2JKLKEIvN pic.twitter.com/Zbg0vC0bvj
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) January 19, 2019
No other government has said so many lies. Never before were institutions undermined in this manner, says former Union Minister Arun Shourie.
Not one institution is left, which has not been destroyed by the current govt at Centre, says Sharad Yadav.
Clouds are parting. A rainbow of political parties is forming. The time for a coalition has arrived, says senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
"This is not about removing one man from power. We have come together to defeat an ideology," says former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha.
RLD leader Jayant Chaudhury says: "What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow. Mamata Didi has shown it today"
#UnitedIndiaAtBrigade RLD leader Jayant Chaudhury says: "What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow. Mamata Didi has shown it today"
WATCH LIVE >> https://t.co/IjQtPwzly7 pic.twitter.com/GadrjdmSnV
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 19, 2019
Lalduhawma Ji from Mizoram says: "We want a secular government at the Centre."
#UnitedIndiaAtBrigade Lalduhawma Ji from Mizoram says: "We want a secular government at the Centre"
WATCH LIVE >> https://t.co/IjQtPwzly7 pic.twitter.com/mTI0DwgjpA
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 19, 2019
Gegong Apang, former CM of Arunachal Pradesh says: "The last four years have been testing times for Indian democracy"
#UnitedIndiaAtBrigade Gegong Apang, former CM of Arunachal Pradesh says: "The last four years have been testing times for Indian democracy"
WATCH LIVE >> https://t.co/IjQtPwzly7 pic.twitter.com/1Z1vt1Gu6S
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 19, 2019
"The manner in which the country is run, is dangerous for the nation," says Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren.
#UnitedIndiaAtBrigade @HemantSorenJMM says: "The manner in which the country is run, is dangerous for the nation"
WATCH LIVE >> https://t.co/IjQtPwzly7 pic.twitter.com/uzLYATkbUP
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 19, 2019
"The country is passing through an unprecedented crisis. All parties have to come together to defeat BJP and RSS," says Jignesh Mewani.
#UnitedIndiaAtBrigade @jigneshmevani80, MLA from Gujarat: "The country is passing through an unprecedented crisis. All parties have to come together to defeat BJP and RSS"
WATCH LIVE >> https://t.co/IjQtPwzly7 pic.twitter.com/3L9J0gVdPH
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 19, 2019
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav and DMK Chief MK Stalin received by CM Mamata Banerjee at 'United India' opposition rally, in Kolkata.
West Bengal: Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav and DMK Chief MK Stalin received by CM Mamata Banerjee at 'United India' opposition rally, in Kolkata. pic.twitter.com/1FZbrIm3zK
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2019
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi,Union Minister on TMC's opposition rally today: Ye sab thake huye pite huye pehelwan hain jo akhaade mein ja kar phir apni qismat aazmana chahte hain. Pehla gathbandhan(in Karnataka) hi is haal mein hai toh aage kya hoga. (All of them are lost and tired wrestlers who want to try their luck once more time. Their first alliance is in peril then what would happend next.)
Crowd swells at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground for Mamata Banerjee's mega Opposition rally.
United India Rally | ইউনাইটেড ইনà§à¦¡à¦¿à¦¯à¦¼à¦¾ রà§à¦¯à¦¾à¦²à¦¿ | यà¥à¤¨à¤¾à¤‡à¤Ÿà¥‡à¤¡ इंडिया रैली
Cultural programme has started at #UnitedIndiaAtBrigade rally.
WATCH >> https://t.co/vqNfTCO387 pic.twitter.com/UaqiNPhVLf
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 19, 2019
Mamata Banerjee arrives at Brigade Parade Grounds.
#UnitedIndiaAtBrigade @MamataOfficial arrives at Brigade Parade Grounds pic.twitter.com/1JcJMfHiwQ
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 19, 2019
Mamata Banerjee welcomes Opposition leaders at the 'United India Rally' at Brigade Parade Grounds.
Only few hours to go for the historic 'United India Rally' at Brigade Parade Grounds. I welcome all national leaders, supporters and lakhs of people to participate in today's rally to pledge to build a stronger, progressive and united India #UnitedIndiaAtBrigade
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 19, 2019
Massive crowd at Mamata Banerjee's mega Brigade Parade Ground rally in Kolkata.
The mood is exhilarating at Brigade Parade Grounds. People are determined for #Poriborton at Centre #UnitedIndiaAtBrigadepic.twitter.com/W8WKeycTDH
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 19, 2019
Crowds begin to gather for TMC led 'United India' rally in Kolkata today. The TMC has estimated that as many as 40 lakh people are likely to attend the rally.
#WestBengal: Crowds begin to gather for TMC led 'United India' rally in #Kolkata, today. pic.twitter.com/hGtObQM6VG
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2019
Former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, his son and Karnataka Chief Minister Kumaraswamy, Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu are amond the leaders who has already arrived in the city. Mamata Banerjee visited them at the various hotels across the city they have been put up.
Ahead of #BrigadeChalo rally, @mamataofficial called on HD Devegowda, @PawarSpeaks, @ncbn, @mkstalin, @yadavakhilesh, earlier this evening
বà§à¦°à¦¿à¦—েড সমাবেশের পà§à¦°à¦¾à¦•à§à¦•à¦¾à¦²à§‡ à¦à¦š ডি দেবেগৌড়া, শরদ পাওয়ার, চনà§à¦¦à§à¦°à¦¬à¦¾à¦¬à§ নাইডà§, অখিলেশ যাদব, à¦à¦®à¦•à§‡ সà§à¦¤à¦¾à¦²à¦¿à¦¨à§‡à¦° সাথে দেখা করলেন মমতা বনà§à¦¦à§à¦¯à§‹à¦ªà¦¾à¦§à§à¦¯à¦¾à¦¯à¦¼ pic.twitter.com/BS8KaSb1fs
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 18, 2019
A massive stage has been built at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground for the the rally what the TMC claims could be the biggest ever in at least a century. The party expects around 40 lakh people from across the state and others parts of the country will attend the rally.
Hello and welcome to News Nation Live Blog: The stage is set for West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee's mega Opposition rally against the Narendra Modi government. More than 20 national leaders, including former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha and Arun Shourie; three present chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Chandrababu Naidu and H D Kumaraswamy; and former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Akhilesh Yadav and Gegong Apang will attend the mega United India Rally at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground. Stay with us for more information as we will bring you all the live updates about the mega Opposition rally.