Karnataka BJP MLA says Subhash Chandra Bose was India's first PM, not Nehru

Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP member Basangouda Patil Yatnal sparked controversy by asserting that Jawaharlal Nehru was not India's first Prime Minister; instead, he claimed it was Subhash Chandra Bose, citing that it was Bose who instilled fear that prompted the British departure from the country.

He pointed to a book by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, often referred to as Babasaheb, in which it was suggested that India's independence was not solely achieved through non-violent means like hunger strikes. Yatnal contended that the fear instilled by Bose played a pivotal role in India's freedom struggle.

The legislator also asserted that, after World War II, the British granted independence to specific regions of India, complete with their currency, flag, and national anthem, with Bose as the Prime Minister. He argued that this historical context supports Prime Minister Modi's claim that Nehru was not India's first Prime Minister.

Yatnal is no stranger to controversy, as he has previously predicted the collapse of the Congress government in Karnataka and alleged corruption within the state's ruling party. His latest remarks have reignited discussions about India's complex history and the role of various leaders in the country's journey to independence.