KOLKATA:People from the various districts of Bengal have started assembling for the Left Front rally at the Brigade Parade Ground here today.

There was speculation over ex-chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee attending the rally. "Although there is a huge demand for the former to address the event, he won't be present as he is not in good health," said a CPM leader. A message from Bhattacharya will be read out at the rally.

Kanhaiya Kumar, former JNU students' union president will be a key speaker at the rally. The 32-year-old leader of the CPI's student wing will take on both the BJP-led government at the Centre and the Mamata Banerjee dispensation in the state.

Two other invitees, actor Shabana Azmi and Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh chief Prakash Ambedkar, a grandson of B R Ambedkar, may also attend the rally.

Left leaders said they were banking big on Kanhaiya 's ability to rouse an audience.

After Mamata 's mega "United India" show on January 19, the Left is desperate to deliver a brigade rally after three years.

It remains to be seen whether today's assembly can boost Left Front workers who have come from remote districts like North Dinajpur and Coochbehar.

The pressure has been mounting on the party leadership after Mamata 's 23-Opposition party leader mega show on 19 January.

The Left leaders will highlight that even though Mamata is trying to project herself as a champion of democracy, her own party is throttling democracy in Bengal. Kanhaiya is the CPM-led Left Front 's masterstroke.

Kanhaiya, who is facing sedition charges, will address the "people 's brigade" as the main speaker, a CPM leader confirmed on Sunday morning. The Left is trying to garner support to wrest power in Bengal and have a key role in the next government at the Centre with Sunday's Brigade show.

