BJP using 'Bose family's' name for political gains: Congress

The Congress party on Thursday took potshots at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over their decision to field Chandra Bose, grandnephew of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose, against Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly polls.

Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said that the BJP had respect for the late freedom fighter, but is only making use of his family to further their political interests in the state.

"BJP is nonexistent in West Bengal. We respect people from Netaji's family, he was also a chief of Indian National Congress (INC). Now when they do not have anything to do with national politics or social welfare in Bengal, doesn't matter who stands for elections," Tiwari told ANI.

"This shows the mentality of the BJP. They do not want to solve the mystery behind Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, but want to use their big name for their party. They do not respect him, but have only political gains in mind," he added.

The BJP had yesterday announced that Chandra Bose would contest the West Bengal assembly elections against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Bose will contest against Mamata in her political bastion Bhawanipore in the poll-bound state. The Bhawanipore seat falls in the Kolkata Dakshin Lok Sabha constituency.

Talking to the media after this announcement, Bose expressed confidence that the BJP would rout the TMC in the assembly polls while stating it is high time that a pro-development government should come and govern West Bengal.

The Election Commission had on Friday announced the dates for the West Bengal assembly elections. The first phase of the six-phase voting will take place on April 4 and 11, while the second and third phases will be conducted on April 17 and 21, respectively.

The last three phases of elections will take place on April 25 and 30 April and May5, whereas the votes will be counted and results will be declared on May 19.