Jalpaiguri/Kolkata: Adding to the growing unease within BJP over Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj’s continued attacks on Netaji, Mamata Banerjee hit the streets on Tuesday — garlanding his statue at Shyambazar — and slammed the saffron party for repeatedly insulting the great freedom fighter.The outspoken Rajbanshi MP, who previously claimed he was “misquoted” after making controversial remarks about Netaji, stirred fresh outrage by alleging that Azad Hind Fauj was composed of British soldiers and claiming Netaji “misused” INA. Speaking in Dinhata on Sunday, the MP said Azad Hind Fauj originated from British-Indian troops handed over by Germany, leading to a fierce public backlash and widespread demands for his removal.Prominent Rajbanshi figures — including academics and Padma Shri awardees Nagendranath Roy and Mahendranath Roy — along with BJP’s Jalpaiguri MP Jayanta Roy, issued a joint statement condemning the remarks as false, insulting and damaging to social harmony. Forward Bloc, a party founded by Netaji, also lodged police complaints and demanded the immediate revocation of his RS membership.Manoj Oraon, Kumargram MLA and state forest minister, openly criticised Maharaj and questioned his credibility to dispute Netaji’s contribution to freedom movement. His reaction followed comments from BJP heavyweight and former governor Tathagata Roy, who urged BJP’s central leadership to intervene.Sensing BJP’s disquiet, Banerjee intensified her criticism. “(They are) insulting Netaji — shame on BJP netas for such audacity. Rabindranath, Netaji, Swamiji and Khudiram Bose are pride of the entire world. Yet, BJP netas continue to demean them time and again. The BJP leadership has neither protested nor taken action,” she said.Leading the gathering of Trinamool supporters, Banerjee chanted slogans of “Jai Hind” and “Victory to Netaji” before offering floral tributes. As she went to garland Netaji’s statue carrying a portrait of freedom fighter Khudiram Bose, her rally was met with counter-slogans of “chor, chor” (thief) from a group of BJP workers.BJP finds itself in a tough spot as Maharaj remains influential among the Rajbanshi community — a crucial Scheduled Caste vote bank in north Bengal that the party has relied on since his nomination to Parliament in 2023. The party leadership remains in a dilemma over the political fallout of penalising him.
