Describing Netaji Subash Chandra Bose as the "real leader" of the country, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday asked the BJP to reveal "the relationship status" between him and Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of BJP's predecessor Jana Sangh.
Addressing a function at Rajiv Bhavan, the Congress state headquarters, Baghel said that Bose was the lone person in the country who we all address as ‘Netaji’.
He was the real leader of the country, he said, adding that if he has to be accepted, then his views will have to be embraced. Saturday marks the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Bose.
BJP leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make public "the relationship status" between Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Syama Prasad Mookerjee, both leaders from Bengal, said Baghel.
Those who want to adopt Netaji should shun Savarkar and Nathuram Godse. Now "a grabbing policy" was being adopted in the country, he added.
Baghel said: “People have a notion that Netaji left the Congress due to Nehru or Mahatma Gandhi. It is not the truth. Netaji wanted an armed struggle for freedom. As per Congress party’s constitution the policy was non-violence.
"In such a condition Sardar Patel told Subhas Chandra Bose that his thoughts are just the opposite of the basic ideology of the Congress, so how one can remain as President of the party. After which Bose resigned.”