In Major Blow to BJP Netaji’s Grandnephew Chandra Kumar Bose Joins Trinamool Congress

In a significant political shift ahead of the final phases of the Bengal polls, Chandra Kumar Bose, the grandnephew of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, has officially joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Bose, who was previously a high-profile face for the BJP in West Bengal and even contested against Mamata Banerjee in the 2016 Assembly elections, made the switch at a ceremony in Kolkata. He stated that his decision was driven by the BJP’s move away from the “inclusive and secular” ideology of Netaji, accusing the party of practicing “divisive politics” that does not align with the cultural fabric of Bengal.

Welcoming him into the party, TMC leadership emphasized that Bose’s entry reinforces their commitment to upholding the legacy of national icons against “outsider” influences. For the BJP, the exit of a prominent member of the Bose family represents a symbolic setback, particularly as the party has consistently invoked Netaji’s name in its regional outreach. Chandra Bose clarified that he intends to work toward a “united India” and believes that the Trinamool Congress is currently the only platform effectively resisting the polarising narratives being pushed from the Centre.