Five Left parties on Saturday demanded the Centre declare January 23 “Desh Prem Divas” (patriotism day) to mark Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary and compile an authentic history of his provisional Azad Hind government and the INA’s contribution to the freedom movement.

“If these are not done, (Narendra) Modi’s so-called gesture will only prove to be a motivated stunt to mislead the people in view of the forthcoming general elections hoping to recapture power,” the CPM, CPI, RSP, Forward Bloc and the CPI(ML) Liberation said in a joint statement.

The reference was to the Prime Minister’s hoisting of the Tricolour at the Red Fort on October 21 to mark the 75th anniversary of Netaji’s proclamation of a “Provisional Government of Free India”.