At Netaji event, PM, Didi share the stage
Rift evident as Bengal CM refuses to speak at event; Modi links Bose’s “free India” call with Centre’s “Atmanirbhar” focus
KOLKATA: Events marking Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 124th birth anniversary brought together Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and governor Jagdeep Dhankhar in a rare appearance at Kolkata’s Victoria Memorial Hall on Saturday, although it failed to keep the political rivalry at bay just months ahead of elections in the state.
Controversy erupted after Banerjee declined to speak at the event after “Jai Shri Ram” slogans were raised in the presence of PM Modi, prompting the chief minister to say such “insult” was unacceptable.
“This is not a party programme. This is an event of the government. All political parties and people are part of this event. The government should have some dignity. Don’t insult me after calling me here. I refuse to speak at this event in protest. Jai Hind, Jai Bangla,” said said, wrapping up.
The Centre and Bengal government are locked in a tussle over Bose’s birth anniversary, clashing over the declaration by the central government of marking January 23 as “Parakram Diwas” instead of calling it “Desk Nayak Diwas” – as the Trinamool Congress had requested.
Hours before PM Modi’s arrival in the city, Banerjee had led a march in Kolkata, from Shyambazar to Red Road, and attacked the Centre for marking Netaji’s birth anniversary only in the year when the state is scheduled to go to the assembly polls. The chief minister also attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government for not declaring January 23 a national holiday and for not building a memorial for the freedom fighter.
“I protest the Centre’s decision to not yet declare Netaji’s birth anniversary as a national holiday. You are building new Parlia