Prior to the arrival of Modi at Kolkata, Mamata carried out a massive rally on foot starting from Shaymbazar to the statue of Netaji at the Red Road in the heart of the city. Prior to the beginning of the rally, Mamata paid homage to the National Hero at his paternal house- Netaji Bhawan. The rally, where a large number of people were led by Mamata Banerjee, passed in front of the Presidency College, the Calcutta Medical College, through the Central Avenue towards its destination.

At 12:15 pm, the CM blew a conch shell marking the moment exactly when Bose was born.

Mamata Banerjee announced that a monument dedicated to the Azad Hind Fauj of Netaji, would be built in the Rajarhat area. She also stated that a university named after Netaji would be set up, funded entirely by the state, adding that the proposed university will have tie-ups with foreign universities.

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While the state government declared the birthday of the National hero as the Deshnayak Diwas, the central government announced the day as Parakram Diwas. Mamata Banerjee today said that India must have four rotating capitals.

The CM gave this statement while addressing a programme at Netaji Bhavan in Kolkata on his 125th birth anniversary.

“I believe that India must have 4 rotating capitals. The English ruled the entire country from Kolkata. Why should there be only one capital city in our country,” said Banerjee.

While addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister pointed out that Netaji did not get his due respect and asserted that the state will celebrate the event as ‘Desh Nayak Diwas’.

Mamata further added, “There has been no patriot like Netaji. He endorsed Tagore’s ‘Jana Gana Mana’ for the National Anthem. He gave the ‘Jai Hind’ slogan. Netaji was a great philosopher. He envisioned the Planning Commission and the Indian National Army before Independence. But Netaji did not get his due respect.”

Slamming the Centre, the TMC president said that they (BJP and Co) claim to revere Netaji but scrapped the Planning Commission, which was actually envisioned by Netaji Bose. Criticizing the Centre’s decision to announce January 23 as ‘Parakram Diwas’, the CM said, “I do not understand the meaning of ‘Parakram Diwas’.”

“We celebrate the day as ‘Deshnayak Diwas’,” Banerjee added. The TMC government has set up a committee to conduct year-long celebrations till January 23, 2022, all over the state.

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Modi arrived in the city at 3 pm afternoon. After that, he shared the stage with the CM and the governor.

Sharing the dais with Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to speak at the event to celebrate Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 125th birth anniversary after slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ were raised by fringe elements.

“This is a government programme and not a political programme. There has to be dignity. It does not behoove anybody to invite people and insult. I would not speak. Jai Bangla, Jai Hind,” Banerjee said after a section in the crowd raised slogans against her besides the ‘Jai Shri Ram’ chants.