Coming down heavily on the BJP, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the party had renamed Kolkata Port which was earlier in Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s name and regretted that Netaji’s birthday has not been declared a national holiday.

She was addressing a gathering after paying tribute to Netaji on his 127th birth anniversary. Miss Banerjee said: “I feel ashamed that a port and dock which were in Netaji’s name have been changed and despite my fight for the past two decades to declare Netaji’s birthday as national holiday, it has not achieved anything.” “In India holidays are declared for political reasons but not on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the great soul. It is a matter of shame,” she said.

She said the words of Netaji inspire the people of India every day. After becoming the head of Indian National Army, Netaji fixed its motto which was faith, unity and equality. He also talked about dedication and determination, she said. Lambasting the BJPled Central government, she said: “Netaji’s dream of a Planning Commission has been shattered when the Centre replaced it by Niti Aayog.

The only principle (niti) they follow is to spread hatred.” She also attacked the BJP for not taking the initiative to solve the mystery behind Netaji’s disappearance. “Before coming to power at the Centre, the current ruling party promised to make efforts to solve the mystery. But after coming to power they did not take the matter further. Whereas, after coming to power in West Bengal in 2011, we declassified 64 files related to Netaji that were preserved in our state archives,” she said.

Miss Banerjee later wrote on her X handle: “As we celebrate the 127th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, my heart swells with deep admiration for a true hero, who for me has been a personal source of inspiration. His courage, vision and love for the motherland has stirred profound emotions with me. Netaji’s spirit transcends time and continues to live on in each heartbeat of free India. Today, let us connect with the essence of his journey and feel the pulse of his sacrifices.

As we stand on the shoulder of this giant, let us pledge to carry forward his vision and legacy.” Amit Mitra, economic advisor to the Chief Minister, ministers Indranil Sen and Bratya Basu attended the ceremony with Professor Sugata Bose and Chandra Bose. Some members of Netaji’s family were also present. The 127th birth anniversary of Netaji was observed in the city with great enthusiasm.

The national flag was hoisted at Dakshin Kolkata Sevasram of which Netaji was the first secretary and CR Das was its president. It was observed with due solemnity at Molonga Lane near the house of Anukul Chandra Mukhopadhyay, one of those who had looted Rhoda rifles. Anukul Chandra was a close associate of Netaji. Hundreds of people visited Netaji Bhavan on Elgin Road, the house from where he had left for Gomo in the course of his great escape from the country