Suvendu Adhikari Chooses Netaji Bhawan Over Red Road for Bose Tribute
In a significant departure from established political tradition, West Bengal's Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari opted to pay homage to Subhas Chandra Bose at Netaji Bhawan rather than the customary Red Road location on Friday, marking the iconic freedom fighter's birth anniversary. This symbolic gesture occurred as political figures across the state commemorated Netaji's legacy, with Adhikari's visit representing a notable break from previous years' practices.
A Personal Tour with Netaji's Grandnephew
During his visit to the historic residence, Adhikari received a personal guided tour from Sugata Bose, the distinguished historian, former Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP, and grandnephew of Subhas Chandra Bose. The opposition leader described the encounter as spontaneous yet profoundly meaningful, emphasizing the warm reception he received from the Bose family members present.
"I met Sugata Bose at Netaji's residence. This was not a planned visit, but he was happy to receive us. Other family members showed us the entire residence of Netaji. Sugata Bose was very cordial and said choosing Netaji's residence was the right choice," Adhikari remarked, highlighting the personal significance of paying respects at the actual home where Netaji lived and planned India's freedom struggle.
Contrasting Experiences and Political Undertones
Adhikari contrasted this year's experience with his previous visits to Red Road, where he claimed Public Works Department workers had unceremoniously removed floral tributes. "PWD workers throw off the garlands unceremoniously. They do that to please the chief minister, who visits the statue at times. They even sanitised the area after our visit," the BJP leader alleged, suggesting political motivations behind the treatment of opposition tributes at the traditional site.
The visit carried additional political weight coming days after another Bose family member, Chandra Kumar Bose—also a grandnephew of Netaji and former BJP leader—criticized what he termed "sheer harassment" in ongoing political developments. Chandra Kumar Bose, who joined the BJP in 2016 as an active campaigner before being sidelined and eventually quitting the party in 2023, has recently been vocal in his criticism of current political approaches.
Symbolic Rally and Broader Context
Prior to his Netaji Bhawan visit, Adhikari led a rally commencing from the residence of Syama Prasad Mookerjee on Elgin Road, connecting the legacies of two prominent nationalist figures in his political demonstration. This carefully orchestrated sequence of events underscores the continuing political significance of historical symbolism in West Bengal's charged political landscape.
Notably, Sugata Bose—who guided Adhikari through Netaji Bhawan—had earlier participated in the Red Road celebrations, illustrating how Bose family members engage with multiple political commemorations of their ancestor's legacy. This multifaceted engagement reflects the complex intersection of family heritage, historical memory, and contemporary politics surrounding Subhas Chandra Bose's enduring legacy in Bengal.
