PM Modi To Celebrate Netaji's Birth Anniversary In Kolkata Ahead Of Crucial West Bengal Polls

As per reports, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to hold discussions with the state BJP leadership during his visit. The BJP has been aggressively campaigning in West Bengal over the past few months.

(Representative Image/ Getty)

Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting West Bengal on January 23 to mark Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary, which will be celebrated as 'Parakram Diwas'. PM Modi, who will attend the birth anniversary celebrations at Kolkata’s Victorial Memorial, is also likely to visit the National Library located in Belvedere Estate, Alipore. The move comes as the Union Government has decided to celebrate Netaji’s birthday as 'Parakram Diwas' on January 23 every year.

“The decision has been taken to honour and remember Netaji’s indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation,” the Union Ministry of Culture said in a notification issued earlier. "The people fondly remember Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's unparalleled contribution to the nation on his 125th Birth Anniversary," the ministry added.
 
The Prime Minister’s visit assumes significance as the Assembly Elections for 294 seats in West Bengal are slated to take place later this year. As per reports, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to hold discussions with the state BJP leadership during his visit. The BJP has been aggressively campaigning in West Bengal over the past few months.

Several TMC leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s trusted aide Suvendu Adhikari, joined the BJP last month in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The BJP, which is leaving no stones unturned to conquer the throne of Kolkata, has chalked out a massive plan for the upcoming assembly polls. The state BJP leaders have reportedly urged the central leadership to send Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath more frequently in the state to address rallies.

BJP chief J.P. Nadda has been making frequent visits to West Bengal of late and engaging in verbal volleys the TMC top brass. Impressed with its impressive gains in the 2019 general elections where the BJP won 18 of the 42 seats, the saffron party has reportedly set a target of winning more than 200 seats in the assembly polls.