Congress invites Mamata Banerjee to Kolkata event, asks her to admit quitting party was ‘mistake’

West Bengal Congress chief Subhankar Sarkar on Tuesday (July 14, 2026) invited TMC chief Mamata Banerjee to the party’s July 21 program in Kolkata and said she should accept that it was a ‘mistake’ to quit the Congress nearly three decades ago.

Speaking to reporters after reviewing the preparations for the ‘Martyrs’ Day’ program at Shahid Minar, Mr. Sarkar said Ms. Banerjee should realize the historical significance of the July 21, 1993 movement rather than ‘trying to rewrite her legacy’.

“If Mamata Banerjee really has the courage, she should not distort history. She should admit that she took a wrong political decision in the past. She is invited to come to our program at Shahid Minar and commemorate the martyrs,” he said.

Mr. Sarkar claimed that the July 21, 1993 movement was organized under the umbrella of the Youth Congress and its affiliation with the Congress cannot be erased.

“The 21 July 1993 movement was held under the banner of the Youth Congress. This is a part of history and there is no way to deny it. A political leader who respects his own political past will gain greater respect,” he said.

The Congress leader said Ms. Banerjee’s participation in the program would be a significant gesture along with an acknowledgment that quitting the Congress was a political mistake.

Sarkar said, “If he clearly says that leaving the Congress was a mistake and comes to the Martyr Minar stage to commemorate the martyrs of July 21, it will be an important political atonement. At least he will have made an effort to correct some of the mistakes made in the past. The Congress stage is open to everyone and they are free to come and pay their respects.” he said.

On July 21, 1993, 13 people were allegedly killed when police opened fire on a Youth Congress rally led by Ms. Banerjee.

Ms. Banerjee, who left the Congress and founded the TMC in December 1997, is following the day with mega rallies. While the rallies became an indicator of his party’s organizational strength over the years, the Congress continued to celebrate the day with relatively simple programmes.

The situation changed slightly after Ms. Banerjee lost power in the assembly polls, with her party fighting the insurgency on many fronts.

The rebel TMC faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee is organizing a separate anniversary celebration near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Esplanade. On the other hand, the police did not allow the group loyal to the former CM to hold the event in front of Victoria House, where the program is traditionally held, and the matter is currently pending in court.