Kolkata, Aug 27 - The ruling Left Front in West Bengal expects a huge gathering at a rally it is holding Aug 31 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a mass movement that battled food shortages.

'We expect at least 500,000-600,000 people in the rally,' Left Front chairman Biman Bose told reporters here Thursday. The rally will be held in the heart of the city -- the Metro Channel.

Left Front leaders will pay homage to those who fell to police firing during what was known as the Food Movement.

It was launched in 1959 when the state was suffering from acute food shortage.

The movement reached its peak when a strike was organised in Kolkata and surrounding districts in August-September 1959. On Aug 31, 1959 more than 20 demonstrators were killed by the police.