Modi's declassification of Netaji files: A political ploy?

New Delhi: With assembly elections in West Bengal just three months away, Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems to have played a masterstroke, as by declassifying 100 files related to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on the occasion of his 119th birth anniversary, he has scored emotional points and at the same time given BJP a headstart in the run-up to the polls. While it managed to garner just two seats there, the party has been harbouring hopes of replacing the Left and with Mr Modi releasing the much awaited classified related to Subhas Chandra Bose, he has stirred the sentiments of not only the countrymen but also of the people of West Bengal. Declassification of Bose's files has been a sentimental issue and when in October last year, Mr Modi had met the family members of Netaji and promised them that the Government would start declassifying all the secret files related to him in a phased manner, he had already announced the BJP's election campaign for West Bengal assembly elections which are due in April this year. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also took the cue and the state government soon after Mr Modi's announcement, had released 64 files related to Subhas Chandra Bose late last year.