Veteran CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty, a vocal critic of Mamata Banerjee and her party, on Tuesday shared the dais with Trinamul Congress functionaries at a programme organised by the Trinamul-run Englishbazar municipality to celebrate the 127th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Krishnendu Choudhury, the civic chairman and a state vice-president of Trinamul, and other Trinamul councillors were present on the dais.

The CPM leader paid tribute to Netaji and also delivered a speech.

“January 23rd is observed as a holiday in the state to pay reverence to Netaji and observe his birthday. But it is a pity that the central government has not yet declared the day as ‘Desh Prem Diwas (a special day for proclaiming love for the nation) and as a national holiday. This is because the party in power at the Centre doesn’t know the meaning of ‘Desh Prem’ (love for country),” said Chakraborty.

He didn’t speak anything against Trinamul or the state government.

Trinamul leaders, who were present, were seen clapping while Chakraborty made such remarks.

Chakraborty later said: “My presence on the dais had nothing to do with the INDIA bloc. It was simply a ceremony to offer homage to Netaji.”

Choudhury, the civic chairman, said they had let a “former MP and MLA” (Chakraborty) pay respect to Netaji and speak a few words.

“I don’t know him (Chakraborty) as a CPM leader but as a former lawmaker. He garlanded Netaji’s statue and then we invited him to speak a few words,” said Choudhury.