On Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 129th birth anniversary, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the BJP, accusing the Centre of disrespecting India’s national icons.
Speaking at a state government programme in Kolkata, Banerjee said leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Bose and B R Ambedkar were being “insulted” under the present regime.
She criticised the Centre for not declaring Netaji’s birthday a national holiday and questioned the replacement of the Planning Commission with the Niti Aayog, saying “nobody knows what it does”.
The chief minister alleged attempts were being made to alter history, culture and language, and claimed democratic rights were being undermined.
Banerjee also targeted the Election Commission over the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in the state, calling the exercise distressing for citizens. She alleged that over 110 people had died since the process began and said had Netaji been alive, they would have probably summoned him too for review, saying he was not a voter.
The BJP separately observed the occasion across the state, including at its Kolkata headquarters.
