Trinamul Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee will hold a pre-election meeting in East Midnapore’s Contai, the home turf of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, on Saturday, more than six years after he last visited the district for a rally in the same town. Mega rallies have been organised in the district by chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamul Congress turncoat Suvendu, whose recent defection to the BJP has reportedly triggered the plan for Abhishek’s return to the district.

During his rally in Chandipur on January 4, 2015, Abhishek had been slapped by a purported Trinamul supporter, an incident that was believed to have widened the Diamond Harbour MP’s rift with the Adhikaris.

“Now that Suvendu has left the party, Abhishek is willing to return to campaign in this district,” a Trinamul leader said on condition of anonymity.

On Tuesday morning, contractors began constructing the dais on a paddy field adjacent to NH116B. Trinamul sources said the rally would attract “over 2 lakh people”.

Superintendent of police, East Midnapore, Praween Prakash and senior police officers also made an inspection of the site along with party leaders. Later in the day, district leaders organised a preparation meeting for Saturday’s rally.

The meeting was attended by Contai coordinator Akhil Giri, panchayat samity deputy chief Abu Taher and district core committee member Mahmood Hossain.

“Suvendu has repeatedly levelled baseless allegations against Abhishek at his recent rallies and has disrespected him by name. It is Abhishek’s turn to respond,” said Hossain.

Starting mid-December, Suvendu has repeatedly levelled the moniker of “extortionist nephew” against Abhishek at his BJP rallies and even named the Diamond Harbour MP on some occasions.

Hossain added that the Contai Trinamul leadership had petitioned Abhishek to speak on their turf ahead of the Assembly polls to respond to Suvendu’s slurs.

“He agreed especially because the chief minister is set to contest from Nandigram,” added a senior leader.

Sources said state Trinamul president Subrata Bakshi would also hold a district-level meeting in Contai on Wednesday to finalise preparations for the rally.