The Forward Bloc MP has opted out of LS race, saying Left’s negative approach has disappointed him

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s nephew and All India Forward Bloc MP from Barasat Subrata Bose, who has opted out of the Lok Sabha polls this time, today deplored the conduct of the Left parties in Parliament, saying “people may be wanting for a change as the Left has failed to reach them”.

In an interview to The Indian Express, Bose said the poor performance of the Left in Parliament was one of the reasons for him opting out of the poll.

Bose, however, said he remained with his party. “The proceedings inside Parliament for most part of the recently concluded term were marked by negative approach of the Left parties. I was disappointed with their role in Parliament. So, I decided not to contest,” said Bose, adding he had communicated his decision not to contest the polls before the list of candidates was prepared. He said he had also conveyed the reasons for his decision to his party chief Ashok Ghosh.

After Bose pulled out of the fray, the Forward Bloc decided to field Sudhin Chatterjee, who is close to the CPM, from Barasat.

“In a democratic set-up, there are various customs that are followed inside Parliament. The manner in which we tried to oust the government at the Centre, and thereafter stalled the proceedings of the House on numerous occasions is personally unacceptable to me. Outside Parliament, we can of course fight in various manners but there should be decorum inside the House even if one is protesting. The Left parties have forgotten their tradition,” said Bose, a veteran Left leader who was a member of the state Assembly before he went to become a Lok Sabha member.

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