Mamata Banerjee's mega rally LIVE: All eyes on Kolkata as Opposition shows its 'strength of unity' against BJP

I came here to save the nation, save democracy. We need change. I want to show the mirror to my party(BJP. This present government is autocrat. If BJP will hide dialogue (on Rafale), then the Indian citizens will definitely say 'Chowkidar Chor Hai'": Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha at Mamata's mega rally

They (BJP) are creating riots in our country, trying to divide Hindus and Muslims. But in this country, all religions are together: Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal CM

CBI Officers are not bad, but this government ruined CBI. They are doing politics even with security forces as well. They want riots in Bengal, they want to do Rath Yatra, I will not allow this, I won't let riots happen in Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee. 
 

"We know that people are with us. They have fooled our country. They are targeting our Constitution. They are targeting every institution. Farmers are not happy with this Modi government": NCP chief Sharad Pawar addresses the gathering at the mega Opposition rally

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge delivers speech at the mega Mamata rally:

"I am reading out Sonia Gandhi's statement. - Fishermen are in deep loss. The country is in immense strain. Institutions have been undermined. This Lok Sabha election will be not an ordinary one: Sonia Gandhi

"This election will restore country's faith. We have to fight with an arrogant Modi government. We have to be together. We have to be together against Modi and Shah - Kharge

"PM Modi might not be corrupt personally. but he is giving full privilege to his friends. He is giving advantage to his friends. His friends are making huge profit from that support." - Kharge

People want a new govt which will protect democracy. Come together and make a new govt. Leaders themselves have to decide how to formulate seat-sharing: JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda addresses the mega Opposition rally in Kolkata

#Mamata2019Rally | Visuals of all Opposition leaders hand-in-hand as they take the stage at Mamata Banerjee's mega rally

(Courtesy:ANI)

(Courtesy: ANI)

(Courtesy: ANI)

'It's a historic day for all of us. We have only ambition - Save India, save democracy. We want to unite India. BJP wants to divide India. Modi is a publicity PM, not a performing PM. He has betrayed the farmers in a huge way. He cheated farmers. They are not doing their jobs in helping the people. I don't have any doubt that in 2019 you are going to see a new Prime Minister. You want change or not? All political parties have joined together. Mamata ji has taken an extraordinary initiative: N Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh CM at the rally

JD(S) leader and Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy addresses Mamata's United Rally

"PM has misled the country over farmers loan waiver policy. Farmers are treated differently under this government. They tried to detail. Now the time has come to understand that people are not blind and foolish. I stand here in this rally and strongly believe that we are moving towards a new India. I ask all non-BJP leaders to join hands together and rule out the BJP.  Let us come together and show them our strength." 

"People used to think that there will no gathbandhan, but it happened. There was a spirit of happiness around the country. The people will also take the decision": SP leader Akhilesh Yadav addresses Mamata Banerjee's mega rally

The country is frustrated with Amit Shah - PM Modi partnership. PM Modi has fooled people of our country. Pakistan wanted to break India over the past 70 years, but in the last 5 years Modi - Shah did this. They did in what Pakistan failed to do: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal attack PM Modi in his address.

"The relationship between Tamil and Bengalis is ages old. The contribution of Tamilians and Bengalis for India's freedom movement is unforgettable. I know people from different communities here have come to listen to us. Our only aim is 'BJP Hatao, Modi Hatao, Desh Bachao'", DMK chief MK Stalin addresses the mega rally
 

Wherever PM Modi is going he is fiercely attacking the Opposition, Modi is fearful of Opposition and that is why he is also cursing us, he is afraid of our unity, we must come together to safeguard India: MK Stalin at mega-Opposition rally

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge takes the stage at Mamata Banerjee's United Opposition Rally

Our Constitution is in danger today. We have to be together and fight against this negative force. We have to eradicate BJP and RSS, and this is a vital task, we will ensure this to happen," says social activist Jignesh Mewani.

The country doesn't want BJP. Communal forces are spreading negativity in our country. They are spreading hatred in the country. No one is feeling secure in this country these days. They are targeting everyone so we will together remove these negative forces. We will remove BJP from the country, " Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader and former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren addresses the massive gathering at Mamata Banerjee's mega Opposition rally.

DMK chief MK Stalin, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, chief ministers HD Kumaraswamy, Chandrababu Naidu and JKNC leader Farooq Abdullah in attendance at Mamata's Unity Rally

CBI has become the puppet in the hands of Modi government these days. People sitting in Delhi are dividing the country especially the North East. We saw what they did with Citizenship Amendment bill," says former Chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh Gegong Apang

"I am warning the Prime Minister of India if the Citizenship Amendment Bill will be adapted, then India will cease to become a suitable place for us to live. This bill should be withdrawn," Zoram Nationalist Party leader Lalduhawma

Visuals from the mega Opposition rally in Kolkata

"Clouds are parting. A rainbow of political parties is forming. The time for a coalition has arrived": Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi

"Every Kashmiri wants to stay with India, they want to live and die together. I urge you to participate with us. Bengalis should come and support Kashmiris. We have to fight the polls together": Farooq Abdullah, former J&K CM and National Conference (NC) chief addresses rally

Crowds begin to gather for TMC led 'United India' rally in Kolkata: ANI

Republic TV's Live ground report from Mamata Banerjee's mega rally venue in Kolkata

All of them are failed leaders who are coming together to try their luck once again. Earlier, gathbandhan in Karnataka got toppled down, now it is their turn: Union Minister and BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

West Bengal CM & TMC Chief Mamata Banerjee arrives at 'United India' opposition rally

Today Mamata didi has called all non-BJP parties here because we have to defeat the Modi-Amit Shah factor in the country. I support Mamata didi in her attempt and have come here participate with her in the rally: Delhi CM and AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal arrives in Kolkata 

Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav and DMK Chief MK Stalin received by CM Mamata Banerjee at mega opposition rally, in Kolkata

TMC chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee addresses the mega rally in presence of Opposition leaders.

"I welcome everyone in Bengal. This gathering will put more energy into everyone. We will fight against thieves and then only we can save this country.," said the TMC chief

"We are together to remove the 'goons' from the country. We have only one slogan -  Subhash(Subhas Chandra Bose) fought against the British, we will fight against the thieves", says activist Hardik Patel.

Exclusive visuals as the Opposition leaders arriving in Kolkata for the mega Opposition rally and meeting Mamata Banerjee:

SP leader Akhilesh Yadav and DMK chief MK Stalin with the TMC supremo

Karnataka CM and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy

BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha with TMC leader Derek O'Brien

TMC leader Derek O'Brien with Jignesh Mevani and Hardik Patel

JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah

Senior JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda with TMC chief Mamata Banerjee

TDP leader and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu being received the West Bengal CM

NCP chief Sharad Pawar

Weeks ahead of the crucial 2019 polls,  Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is all set to head the much-awaited "united opposition rally" on Saturday, against the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kolkata's iconic Brigade Parade ground. Being termed as one of the largest events to take place in West Bengal since independence, leaders of over 20 opposition parties are expected to participate in the rally against the ruling Modi government.

While the Opposition leaders from multiple parties including NCP chief Sharad Pawar, HD Deve Gowda, Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav, Sharad Yadav, Chief ministers N Chandrababu Naidu, Arvind Kejriwal, HD Kumaraswamy, former chief ministers Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's MK Stalin are likely to attend the mega rally to show their unity against the BJP, Congress decided that it will not be sending its party President Rahul Gandhi or UPA chief Sonia Gandhi for the mega event. Instead, the party will be represented by senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge. 

READ: ACCESSED: Here's Who Will Be Attending Mamata Banerjee's Mega Opposition Rally

On his arrival to Kolkata airport, Janta Dal senior leader Deve Gowda spoke of how this Mahagatbandhan is foreseeing to defeat BJP, further revealing the slogan of the mega rally:

"Remove Modi government will be the slogan," he said. 

READ: "Remove Modi-government Will Be Our Slogan," Says Former PM Deve Gowda After Reaching Kolkata For Mamata Banerjee's Rally

After snubbing the mega event, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, on Friday, wrote a letter to TMC chief Mamata Banerjee showing support to the unity of the opposition against the BJP-led government. In the letter, he had hoped to send a powerful message of a 'united India' to the country through this Opposition rally.

"We commend the great people of Bengal who have historically been at the forefront of defending our ideals. I extend my support to Mamata Di on this show of unity and hope that we send a powerful message of a united India together."

However, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati has decided to pass on Mamata's invitation to participate in the mega rally.

READ: After Mammoth Rally Snub, Rahul Gandhi Pens Letter To Mamata Banerjee Proclaiming Unity. Read Here

Speaking at an event on October 05, 2018, Mamata Banerjee made a pitch to the leaders of the opposition to show their support towards the mega anti-BJP rally: 

"We have made a publicity campaign committee for January 19 Brigade Sabha. All the opposition parties and leaders have been invited. This is to go against the current BJP government. We have got the permission to hold this event. We have invited everyone as we do not consider anyone small. CPM does a lot of things against me. They do whatever they feel like because they do not have any ideals."

READ: While Calling For 'Mahagathbandhan' To Stick Together To Defeat BJP, Mamata Banerjee Invites Opposition For Mega Rally

I welcome all national leaders, supporters and lakhs of people to participate in today's rally to pledge to build a stronger, progressive and united India: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee