Kolkata, A day after canceling Rahul Gandhi’s rallies scheduled for April 23 in Kolkata and Shrirampur due to lack of police permission, the Congress party rescheduled them for April 25 after receiving approval from police officials on Wednesday, according to party sources.

The Congress stated, “Rahul Gandhi’s first rally will be held at Shahid Minar Maidan in Kolkata around 2:30 PM, and the second rally will take place on April 25 in Shrirampur, Hooghly district.” They noted that earlier, the Congress had canceled two of Gandhi’s rallies at Ramlila Park (Park Circus Maidan) and Matiaburj in Kolkata, as well as another rally at Shrirampur Stadium scheduled for April 23, because the administration did not grant the necessary approvals.

The party alleged that the rallies were not permitted at the behest of the ruling Trinamool Congress. State Congress president Shubhankar Sarkar claimed that the strong response to Gandhi’s recent rallies in Malda and Murshidabad has made both the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) “nervous.” Elections for the 294-member West Bengal Legislative Assembly will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. Vote counting will take place on May 4.

Shahid Minar Maidan

Shahid Minar Maidan is a historic public square in Dhaka, Bangladesh, centered around the Shahid Minar (Martyrs’ Monument). The monument was built in memory of the students and activists who were killed in the 1952 Bengali Language Movement protests, which demanded recognition of the Bengali language. Today, the maidan serves as a major venue for national ceremonies, political rallies, and cultural events, especially on Language Movement Day and Victory Day.

Ramlila Park (Park Circus Maidan)

Ramlila Park, also known as Park Circus Maidan, is a historic public ground in Kolkata, India, famous for hosting the annual Ramlila performances during the Durga Puja and Dussehra festivals. The park has been a cultural hub for the city’s diverse communities since the colonial era, serving as a venue for religious events, political rallies, and recreational activities. Its name reflects the traditional dramatic reenactment of the Ramayana, which has taken place there for over a century.

Matiaburj

Matiaburj is a historic neighborhood located in the southern part of Kolkata, India, known for its rich cultural heritage and connection to the Chinese-Indian community. It was once a major center for the Chinese settlement in Kolkata, with many families involved in the leather-tanning industry, though the area has since seen a decline in its Chinese population. The name “Matiaburj” is derived from the Bengali words for “earth” and “tower,” possibly referencing old earthwork structures in the region.

Shrirampur Stadium

Shrirampur Stadium is a multi-purpose sports venue located in Shrirampur, Maharashtra, India. It is primarily known for hosting cricket matches and has been a part of the local sports infrastructure for decades, serving as a hub for regional athletic events. The stadium reflects the area’s cultural enthusiasm for sports, though it is not widely recognized on the national or international stage.