Kolkata: Chandra Kumar Bose, the grandnephew of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, joined the Trinamool Congress ahead of the Assembly elections in West Bengal.
The first phase of the elections are scheduled to be held on April 23.
Chandra Bose had been with the BJP for nine years before calling it quits in September 2023. He had cited ideological differences for severing ties with the party, as reported by ANI.
He has been quite active over the last couple of months. In March, he said that his decision to join the BJP was a “historic mistake”, accusing the party of “creating division and polarisation” to secure victory in elections. In a post on March 27, Chandra Bose urged all communities to unite to defeat “divisive forces bent to destroy the country”.
“Joining the BJP was a ‘historic mistake’ — but I realised it was not too late, but rather sooner! If a party’s sole aim is to create division and polarisation among voters just to win elections, then I cannot accept that! You cannot fight communalism with communalism! Let us unite all communities to safeguard the structure of our nation. To defeat the divisive forces bent on destroying the country, the INDI alliance, workers, and the people must absolutely come together,” he said.
Chandra Bose has also been vocal against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal by the Election Commission, urging “social activists and progressive people” to defend their right to vote.
“What’s wrong with the ‘Civil Society’, ‘Social Activists’ and like-minded progressive people of Bengal? 90 lac people of Bengal just lost their voting rights! Many of whom are genuine voters- aren’t you going to protest? Arise, awake & stop not till your goal is reached! Revolutionary people of Bengal don’t take this insult lying down,” he posted.
Calling the SIR process “completely unconstitutional and undemocratic”, Chandra Bose had accused the Election Commission of being “biased” and favouring the BJP.
“Completely unconstitutional & undemocratic- the entire ‘SIR’ exercise & subsequent ‘Election’ process in West Bengal. The sheer incompetence of the Election Commission to maintain peace during the campaign leading upto the polling day. Whose responsibility is it to maintain law & order now during the validity of the ‘model code of conduct?” he said in a post on April 6,” he had said.
“This worthless & useless EC, following instructions from their masters, cannot conduct the elections in an unbiased manner. Progressive and like-minded people must unite to save Bengal from being taken over by an ‘autocratic’ rule,” Chandra Bose added.
West Bengal is set for a high-stakes elections with the BJP doing everything possible to give the TMC a run for its money. Political observers have forecast a close fight.
