Kolkata: A seventh-generation descendant of iconic Bengali litterateur Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay joined the BJP on Thursday, sparking a fresh round of political speculation in poll-bound Bengal.Sumitra Chattopadhyay, a former official with the state labour department, took the party flag at BJP’s Salt Lake office in the presence of Union minister Bhupender Yadav and Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya.Chattopadhyay’s joining came on the heels of the central govt celebrating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, an iconic poem and national song penned by Bankim Chandra. It also fuelled the controversy in political circles, where BJP was earlier criticised for using Bengal’s icons to capture the pre-poll narrative.Yadav, who referred to the spirit of ‘Vande Mataram’, said it strengthened the spirit of nationalism and patriotism during British rule. “Bankim Chandra’s ‘Vande Mataram’ is the backbone of nationalism and patriotism in this country. It is a matter of pride to have a member of his family in the BJP,” he added.Yadav said Bankim Chandra’s ideology and nationalism would inspire Bengal to move forward towards “Viksit Bharat” and foster political and social change in the state. Bhattacharya claimed that Chattopadhyay’s joining marked a wind of positive change in Bengal.The BJP courted controversy after PM Narendra Modi referred to the revered Bengali icon as “Bankimda” during the winter session of Parliament. While the opposition accused the BJP of not paying any heed to Bengal’s cultural heritage, the BJP initiated a discussion in Parliament on the 150-year legacy of ‘Vande Mataram’.Chattopadhyay, who was critical of the state’s employment policies, alleged that the data of lakhs of unemployed youths was deleted from employment exchanges. “Although 40 lakh names were registered at the employment bank, there is no real solution to the unemployment problem in the state,” he said.Earlier, Sajal Chattopadhyay, another descendant of Bankim Chandra, urged people not to use the litterateur for achieving any political end. He pleaded to keep Bankim Chandra and ‘Vande Mataram’ “out of politics”. He also expressed his gratitude to PM Modi on the central govt’s decision to celebrate the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’.
