Netaji gave new direction to idea of free India: Modi
Modi began his visit to Kolkata by paying homage to Indian freedom fighter and said the country bows to the leader; India must have 4 capitals, says Mamata
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday began his visit to Kolkata by paying homage to Indian freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and said the country bows to the leader.
Modi also paid floral tributes at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s statue at the National Library in the city.
Modi went around seeing paintings by around 100 artists on a 40-metre long canvas on the sprawling lawns of Belvedere House at the National Library compound.
The prime minister paid floral tributes at the feet of Netaji’s statue on his arrival at the library.
He was accompanied by West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar.
“His bravery and ideals inspire every Indian. His contribution to India is indelible. India bows to the great Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. PM@ narendramodi began his Kolkata visit and #Parakramdivas programmes by paying homage to Netaji Bose at Netaji Bhawan,” Prime Minister’s Office said in a tweet ater PM Modi reached Kolkata.
“At Kolkata’s National Library, a unique tribute is being paid to Netaji Subhas Bose on #Parakramdivas, through beautiful art,” PM Modi tweeted ater reaching the National Library.
The prime minister also visited the ancestral house of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in the aternoon as he came to the city to take part in the revolutionary’s 125th birth anniversary celebrations.
He was received at the entrance of the house by Sugato Bose and his brother Sumantro Bose, the freedom fighter’s grandnephews.
Modi was shown the ‘Wanderer’ car, which Netaji used to escape from Kolkata to Gomoh, said Sugato Bose. The prime minister was also shown the bedrooms of Netaji and his brother Sarat Chandra Bose, news agency reported.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said that India should have four capitals in the four corners of the country and not just one in Delhi and directed Trinamool Congress MPS to raise the issue in Parliament.
“Kolkata was once the capital of India. So why can’t the city be declared as the second capital of India once again? Kolkata has to be made the second capital of India,” Banerjee said while addressing a public rally in Kolkata to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
The Bengal CM made the remark a few hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to arrive in Kolkata for six-hours to celebrate Netaji’s birth anniversary.
“Why should there be only one capital. India should have four capitals in four corners of the country. Parliament sessions should be held in all the four capitals,” she said while directing TMC MPS to raise the demand in Parliament.
The chief minister said that one capital should be set up in southern states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka or Kerala.
Another capital should be made in states like Utar Pradesh, Punjab or Rajasthan. Another capital should be there to cater to states like Bihar, Odisha or Kolkata in Bengal. The fourth one could be set up in the north east.
“One leader, one nation, one ration card, one political party – this point of view needs to change,” she added.
Earlier in the day the West Bengal chief minister atacked the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre over dismantling the Planning Commission.
“National Planning Commission was Netaji’s brain-child. But that has been dissolved. I would like to put this question today. If we love Netaji, why was the commission dissolved?” Banerjee said.
“Why should parliament session be held in Delhi alone? What is there is Delhi? In Delhi most people are outsiders,” she said while quickly adding that people in Delhi are nice and they welcome everyone. She also said that she shares a cordial rapport with Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Mamata Banerjee launched a veiled atack on the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to Kolkata.
Banerjee said this year’s Republic Day celebrations in Kolkata would be dedicated to Netaji and announced a monument named ater Azad Hind Fauj he founded and a university named ater the legendary freedom fighter.