The monopoly of political parties over the masses was broken on Wednesday as thousands poured into the heart of Calcutta to condemn the manner in which CPM cadres recaptured Nandigram.

Turnout: 60,000 to 100,000 (variance because of official and unofficial counts)

What’s new? Record turnout, considering no party bussed in or hired hands to step up footfall

Telling moment: The tail end moved two hours after the rally started from College Square

Big surprise: The presence of Mrinal Sen