Those who extended their support to Mamata included intellectuals, artists,singers, film personalities, theatre personalities, footballers of yesteryears and sports administrators.
Claiming that FDI in multi-brand retail would spell disaster for crores of small traders, Bengali film-maker Gautam Ghosh said "Centre's unilateral decision without consulting the allies was undemocratic and unconstitutional."
Stating that Trinamool Congress had taken a 'historic' decision by withdrawing support to the UPA government, he expressed apprehension that retail giants would control markets and one day dictate terms.
"Not to speak of Walmart stores, FDI in retail in food will spell doom for peasants and small traders," he said.
Bengali film actress of yesteryear Sandhya Roy described the Trinamool Congress chief as a tigress and said all should come forward to protest the decisions of the UPA government.
Former footballers P K Banerjee, Amal Dutta, Subrata Bhattacheree, Samar Banerjee, top officials of Kolkata soccer giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal and Cricket Association of Bengal and thespians Bivas Chakraborty and Saonli Mitra attended the meeting.
Though Banerjee attended the rally with party colleagues, MPs and ministers she did not speak, but sat with the spectators.
The rally was organised by the pro-Trinamool intellectuals and artists' body 'Paschimbanga Sankritik Mancha' led by painter Suvaprasanna.
Banerjee will take part in a party demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on October 1 to urge the Centre to withdraw decisions on FDI in retail, cap on subsidised LPG and diesel price hike.
