Basu’s cutouts were placed beside the huge dais while many Left workers wore masks resembling Basu’s face. A song composed on the departed leader was sung at the venue.

Some publication brought out special issues on the country’s longest-serving chief minister. A recorded speech of Basu was played at the end of the meeting.

To woo Muslims and tribals before the upcoming civic polls, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee appealed to the communities to support the ruling CPM. “I appeal to the tribals. See how tribals in Jharkhand are facing problems. In our state, the living standard of tribals is higher than that in Jharkhand. But a lot remains to be done, and we will do it,” Bhattacharjee said while addressing the rally. He said Kolkata is a symbol of communal harmony.

“The state is an example of communal harmony for the nation,” he said. Accusing the Trinamool Congress of trying to prevent the Left Front government from carrying out pro-people programmes, he said: “We want good panchayats and municipalities to serve the people better.”

He added that some foreign powers with vested interests have joined hands to thwart the party as “these forces don’t want the CPM to play a crucial role in Delhi”. “Left Front’s struggle in West Bengal is 50-year-old. Now, an attempt is on to prevent its growth,” Bhattacharjee said.

He alleged that the Trinamool was trying to oppose the government and had joined hands with forces like the Maoists and separatist entities like KLO and Gorkha Janamukti Morcha.

The CM questioned the role of the Trinamool in combating Maoists. “Why is the Trinamool so sympathetic towards the Maoists? Is it because they are killing our men? Why is the Trinamool opposing deployment of paramilitary forces at a time when the Centre has announced that it will thwart Maoist activities at any cost?” Bhattacharjee asked.