The Bhartiya Janta Party’s Chandra Kumar Bose, Subhas Chandra Bose’s grandnephew, announced his resignation on Wednesday, citing his inability to cooperate with the party “under present circumstances” and his belief that party is heading on the “wrong track” in West Bengal.
BJP failed to recognise Bose’s ideology and efforts
Chandra Kumar Bose, who joined the BJP in 2016, claimed that neither the state-level nor the national levels of the party supported his efforts to spread the ideology of his grandfathers.
According to ANI, he declared that “they believe in bringing together [people] of every religion and represent them as Indians. They campaigned against communalism and divisive politics.”
“When I joined the BJP, I was promised that I would be allowed to propagate the inclusive ideology of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Sarat Chandra Bose. However, nothing of that sort happened,” Chandra Bose wrote in a letter to BJP leader JP Nadda.
“My discussions with the BJP then centered on the inclusive ideology of the Bose Brothers (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Sarat Chandra Bose). My understanding, both at that time and later, had been that I would propagate this ideology across the country on the BJP platform.”
“It was also decided to form an Azad Hind Morcha within the framework of the BJP with the primary objective of promoting Netaji’s ideology of uniting all communities as Bharatiyas, irrespective of religion, caste, and creed.”
“My proposals were ignored. Given these unfortunate circumstances, it has become impossible for me to continue in all conscience as a member of the BJP.” in his letter, Chandra Kumar Bose added.
He counselled the BJP to bring all communities together.
According to BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya, Bose hasn’t been in contact with party leaders in a while, as reported by PTI.
Chandra Kumar Bose ran for election in the 2016 West Bengal Assembly and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections under the BJP banner. Additionally, he had voted against the party line in 2019 by opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act.
Bose explained to ANI what motivated him to join the BJP, why he remained a member of the saffron party up till now, and why he made the decision to step down.
“In 2016, I had contributed to the BJP. I was inspired by the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. My principles are in line with my grandfather Sarath Chandra Bose and his younger brother Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Their ideology was based on the principle that they saw every religion as Indian. They fought against the politics of division and communalism.” Bose communicated with ANI.
Brief history of Subhas Chandra Bose’s political views and actions–
Bose spent 17 years working with the Congress. In 1938, Gandhi and Bose’s interactions became hostile.
By 1935, Bose had made it evident that, in order to accomplish his objectives, he would choose strategies other than the ‘harmless’ ahimsa and satyagraha.
Bose further stated that after gaining independence, India will require an emperor who would govern with an iron hand for at least 20 years.
Thus, Bose’s 1938 separation from Congress to create Forward Bloc was caused by the extreme ideological divide between the pacifists Nehru-Gandhi and the radical Bose.
Netaji left the Congress party. He created his own programme, worked towards it, and organised an army in opposition to what the Congress wanted.
He pushed for freedom and believed that socialism could be implemented gradually to suit Indian conditions. He was a revolutionary who never voiced any views about religion. Despite the fact that he was a centrist, BJP values these traits and his sacrifice.
