KOLKATA: It was a show of political might as Left parties led a mammoth anti-communalism rally in Kolkata on Saturday - 22nd anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition - protesting against "attempts by fundamentalist forces like the BJP and RSS to disrupt communal harmony in Bengal for political gains".

The rally, held every year by the Left Front constituents since 1993, assumes significance at a time when the BJP is eating into the opposition space in Bengal. It was also a show of rare Left unity as 17 Left parties marched together for secularism. Among them were erstwhile Trinamool Congress ally, SUCI (Communist), and CPIML (Liberation) who profess "fundamental political differences" with the CPM.

Red flags filled the streets as about 50,000 people marched from Mahajati Sadan to Rabindra Sadan. It took them about two hours to cover the 5km stretch. The turnout was unprecedented since the Left's debacle in successive elections.

The police tried to "stop" the rally at a couple of places so that the paths of the Left supporters and the Trinamool - gathered for meeting against communalism near Gandhi's statue on Mayo Road - didn't cross.

"Our December 6 rally was announced on November 13. When did Mamata Banerjee decide she would hold a rally today? She has begun holding anti-communalism rallies in the last two years," said CPM politburo member Biman Bose.

At the end of the rally, Bose charged up the crowd with a two-pronged attack against the BJP-RSS and the ruling Trinamool Congress. "Some political parties fly on the wings of communalism. The BJP was directly involved in the communal flare-up leading to the Babri Masjid demolition. Sangh Parivar constituents burnt down churches. These barbaric acts are an attack on our country's culture and secular ideal," said Bose.

Alleging the BJP was dividing Bengal on communal lines, Bose said, "It's dangerous. These practitioners of communal politics are trying to destroy the unity and struggle of workers and peasants."

Hitting out at the Trinamool, he said, "Mamata Banerjee didn't utter a word of criticism after Babri Masjid was demolished. After Narendra Modi won assembly polls post-Gujarat riots, she sent him flowers instead. In Bengal, Trinamool did everything to kill democracy. They have framed people on false charge, allowed rape accused to walk away without punishment. How can a party that breeds anarchy fight religious fundamentalists?"

Partha Ghosh of CPIML (Liberation) said Trinamool with its anti-democracy activities can't counter the BJP. "The Congress has been reduced to a signboard. Therefore, it's only the Left parties who can fight communal forces like the BJP," he said.

CPI's Manju Kumar Majumadar pointed to Left's record to buttress its projection as the only counter-force to the saffron. "We fought off communal forces that incited riots in 1946, in 1992. We'll continue to fight against communalism," he said.

The show of strength seemed a morale booster for young Left party members. Debarshi Sengupta from central Kolkata and Shahrukh Khan from Maheshtala in South 24-Parganas - both college students and CPM supporters - had joined the rally with friends and family.

"I feel inspired. The party should have more movements taking up the cause of the oppressed and the dispossessed. What's a Left party without people's movements?" said Khan. At another end of the rally, Sengupta echoed similar sentiments.

S Mondal, a veteran from Baranagar, was enthused, too. "If our leaders come out and stand by us, there are thousands of comrades ready to sacrifice their lives for the party," he said.

