Mumbai, April 1: The West Bengal assembly elections are approaching, set to take place in two phases. In an exclusive interview, actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty discussed the upcoming elections and the allegations made by Mamata Banerjee. He confidently asserted that the BJP’s victory is assured this time.
Question: You began campaigning in Bengal in 2021. What changes and growth have you observed in the BJP over the past five years?
Answer: I can speak about the party’s growth. Previously, the party was disorganized, but now I can confidently say it is well-structured, with only 5-10% exceptions due to selfish individuals. These selfish people have no real connection to the party; it doesn’t matter to them whether we win or lose. Personally, I have dedicated more time to the party. I am visiting small villages and engaging with people, which is my growth.
Question: Since you have already started campaigning and meeting people, what is their attitude towards the BJP?
Answer: Earlier, the party’s disorganization left people uncertain. Now, the party is organized, and I can confidently say that public perception has shifted, especially after the Mahakumbh festival. The Hindu community has awakened. I urge everyone I meet to vote against the TMC because if they return to power, not only will the public be affected, but we too will be forced to leave. Where will we go? This is the only country for Hindus in the world. If you don’t want that, vote for the BJP.
Question: If the Trinamool Congress returns to power, will prominent figures like you have to leave Bengal?
Answer: Absolutely. It won’t just be me; many prominent individuals will be compelled to leave. The critical question is, where will we go? I might go to Mumbai, but where will others go? They have claimed that if they were not in power, Bengali Hindus would have been expelled long ago. Now, people are hearing such statements directly from them.
Question: The BJP faces accusations of anti-minority politics. What is your response?
Answer: I know that the BJP is not against Muslims. I have seen the party from the inside. However, the party opposes those Muslims who wish to harm the nation. We are a nationalist party.
Question: The issue of SIR (State Identification Register) is significant in Bengal. Some support it, while others do not. What is your stance?
Answer: Who is opposing it? I want to ask who is against it and what their reasons are. We won the last election by 44,300 votes, and 44,000 votes were canceled. So, who won? We did! Do you want us to form a government through dishonesty like others, or do you want us to come to power constitutionally? Some voices are raised for those who are not even citizens of our country. If our citizens face injustice, I will protest, but why should we care about those who are not ours?
Question: The opposition claims that voters’ names are being cut, particularly those of TMC supporters.
Answer: They are TMC supporters; what action can be taken? No action can be taken. The Constitution does not grant anyone that right. This is merely their propaganda. They cannot claim we won through cheating. If your vote is invalid, what can you say? It is not us; it is the numbers that speak. This was done according to the Constitution, and there may be BJP voters affected too, but we did not protest. However, if someone from our country has their name cut, I will support them. The SIR has revealed how many deceased individuals were voting. Where are they coming from? They used to come for free meals and vote before leaving.
Question: Who will be the biggest beneficiary of the SIR?
Answer: I don’t know who the beneficiary will be, but we will fight until the end. All fraudulent votes in the voter bank will be nullified, and if the Election Commission becomes stricter, we can fight comfortably.
Question: The TMC claims that when Bengalis go out to fight, especially in BJP-ruled states, they face exploitation. As someone from Bengal still working in films, have you ever felt this?
Answer: I have lived from Mumbai to Ooty and have never felt such a thing. These are baseless claims fed into people’s minds because the TMC has no policy. They do not know how to do politics, which is why I have reduced my speaking.
Question: Mamata Banerjee accuses the BJP of deciding what people will eat if they come to power.
Answer: The BJP governs in 21 states. Are they deciding what people eat there? People eat what they want. Yes, in some areas, certain types of meat are banned for religious reasons, especially in sensitive regions. We respect some of their decisions, but some people want to politicize this issue.
Question: When a political party imposes food restrictions, it can create division among people. What do you say to that?
Answer: This division did not start today. It began about a year to a year and a half after they came to power, aimed at dividing two communities. Have you ever heard of such a Hindu-Muslim divide in Bengal before? It has always been about dividing people to gain votes.
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