PM Narendra Modi in Kolkata on January 23: Netaji’s anniversary; meeting with BJP top brass on cards – Details – Times Now

New Delhi/ Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Kolkata on January 23 to inaugurate the main program that will be organised to mark the birthday celebration of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. The celebrations will be held at Victoria Hall. The Centre, on Tuesday, announced that Bose’s birth anniversary will be observed as ‘Parakram Diwas’. 

During his visit, PM is also likely to be a part of an event at the National Library, where he will inaugurate restored architectural sites and dedicate them to the people of West Bengal. West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar will also be a part of the events that PM Modi is slated to attend. 

PM likely to hold meetings with BJP state brass

The PMO has, so far, not announced any political program of PM Modi, however, he slated to hold a meeting with BJP’s state leadership. Chandra Kumar Bose, a BJP leader and one of the grand nephews of Netaji, local MPs and ministers are also likely to be present for the event that has been organised by the Ministry of Culture 

The state police and the SPG held a meeting on Monday to make security arrangements ahead of PM Modi’s visit, the larger details of which are yet to be finalised.

Desh Prem Diwas, says Mamata

Separately, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be holding a foot-march ‘padayatra’ in Kolkata to mark the special occasion. 

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has criticised the Centre’s move to call January 23 ‘Parakram Diwas’ and said that her government is not happy with the decision. ‘We are not happy with Centre’s decision … will call it ‘Desh Prem Diwas’,’’ she said.  The day is important on the backdrop of Assembly polls in West Bengal. While the TMC has made a ‘Bengali vs outsiders’ appeal to attract voters, the BJP has hit back saying the next West Bengal CM will be a ‘son-of-the-soil’.