Procession and Massive Rally

Kolkata is a big city, once capital of India till 1911, where big and long processions are a regular feature for many years. But after the Trinamool government has taken over, it is difficult for other parties and trade unions to organise processions and jathas. As such, the reception Committee took prior permission for holding procession and rally in the city on 6th November 2014.
Since the procession and rally are to be held in the city and the AIC is being held on the outskirts of the city, buses were arranged to take the delegates from the Conference site to the Telecom Factory, from where the procession will start. Hundreds of delegates and observers participated in the long procession which went through the city roads and reached Rani Rashmony Avenue, where the rally will be held. Another huge jatha by the local BSNL employees had already reached the avenue. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Animesh Mitra, Sahdev Biswal and other leaders led this jatha.
The large area of the Rashmoni Avenue in the centre of the city was full with workers. The road on the side of the avenue was also full. The stage was erected high so that workers in the backside also can see state and the speakers.

The Rally started at 1530 hours as scheduled. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri presided. Com. Animesh Mitra, Dy. GS and Jt. Convener, Reception Committee welcomed all. Com. Tapan Sen, MP, General Secretary CITU, inaugurated the rally. He called upon the workers to resist the onslaught on the working class by the new NDA government. He also pointed out the necessity to continue sustained struggles for achieving the demands of the workers. Coms. Shymal Chakraborty, President, CITU, W.Bengal, P.Abhimanyu, GS, Saibal Sen Gupta and Animesh Mitra, Circle Secretaries also spoke.

Cultural Programmes

Cultural programmes were organised at the Conference site in the evening, which was much appreciated by the delegates.