Kolkata, April 1 (IANS) BJP leader and actor Mithun Chakraborty on Wednesday claimed that if the Trinamool Congress returns to power after next month's two-phased election in West Bengal, Bengali Hindus might have to leave the state. During an interaction with IANS, he asserted that the BJP is not against Muslims, particularly "Indian Muslims".
Chakraborty further accused the Trinamool Congress supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of creating divisions between two communities in West Bengal.
Here are some excerpts from the interview:
IANS: In the last five years in West Bengal, how do you feel that the BJP and Mithun Chakraborty have grown?
Chakraborty: About growth in the last five years, I can say about the party (BJP). Earlier the party was not organised. But this time, I can confidently say that the BJP is very much organised. Except for some 5-10 per cent, because some selfish people are also there in a party who only look after themselves.
There is no change in Mithun Chakraborty, except (the fact that) I have started giving more time to the party. I have even gone to villages (for party outreach). This is my growth. Also, I don't want anything much. Had I wanted I could have got a lot. I don't ask for anything.
IANS: Since you have met people even in villages, are they taking the BJP as an alternative in West Bengal?
Chakraborty: Because we were not organised, there was a feeling of insecurity (in the party). But this time we are very much organised. And the sentiment of 'Sanantan' has increased among the people, especially after Kumbh Mela.
That is why I appeal to people everywhere to come together and vote if you want to remove this (Trinamool Congress) government otherwise whatever happens after this, all of us will be thrown out. Where, that I also don't know. Because everybody (all religions) have a country, but Hindus don't. So, we don't know where will we go? But if the people don't want such a thing to happen, all of them should come under one roof and vote out this government.
IANS: You are saying that if this government is not changed, a personality like Mithun Chakraborty may also have to leave West Bengal?
Chakraborty: Yes, not only me, many big personalities will have to go. Where should we go even if we want to? I still have a house in Mumbai but everybody cannot go there. Where will the Hindus go?
IANS: BJP is often accused of engaging in politics of polarisation. Like Mamata Banerjee is accused of appeasement politics, BJP is accused of anti-minority politics.
Chakraborty: Let me make it clear that BJP is not against Muslims. BJP is not against Indian Muslims. But we are definitely against non-Indian Muslims or those Muslims who want to harm the country despite living in it. We are against them.
IANS: Do you think the Trinamool Congress supports people associated with anti-Indian acts?
Chakraborty: Trinamool Congress openly supports (such people). It is only involved in appeasement. People understand all this and if they still vote for them, I can't really say anything.
IANS: According to you, should Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls happen or not?
Chakraborty: I want to know who all are against it. Those who oppose it, need to be asked why SIR should not happen. Do they (Trinamool) want to run the government by winning through deceit or through a proper constitutional and democratic manner.
Why are they (those opposing SIR) raising their voice for those people who are not even Indians. If any Indian is kept out (of the voter list) then I will also support and urge the authorities to properly investigate it. If one or two happens (genuine citizens deleted from list) that is by chance.
She wants to win using those votes (who are being deleted). It is clear from the margin (of her victory).
IANS: There is an assumption that names of many genuine voters are being deleted just because they are Trinamool Congress supporters.
Chakraborty: Nobody can delete the name of anyone for being a Trinamool Congress supporter. The Constitution does not give this right to anyone. This is their (Trinamool's) propaganda. They don't have anything else to say.
IANS: Who do you think is the biggest beneficiary of SIR?
Chakraborty: What do you think, BJP didn't lose its voters. If voters have been lost due to SIR, so has the BJP. But we are not making a noise. If it (SIR) has been conducted according to the Constitution, it has been done for everyone. But why are they troubled by it?
Having said that, if somebody is an Indian and still his or her name has been deleted, I will myself go and check why such a thing happened.
It came to light through SIR that there were so many 'dead voters.' So who was casting votes in the names of these deceased people? Earlier they (Trinamool) used to win through the votes of 'dead voters'.
IANS: Trinamool Congress keeps saying that Bengali-speaking migrants in BJP-ruled states are harassed. Despite being a Bengali, you have worked in Bollywood for such a long time, have you faced anything of this sort?
Chakraborty: If this was the case I would have been removed first. But I have never faced such a problem. I also stay in Mumbai; there I have never faced anything like this. All this is made up. Such wrong things are being infused into the minds of people because there is no policy, no politics, nothing.
IANS: Mamata Banerjee had said that if the BJP forms a government here, what one eats will also be decided by the party.
Chakraborty: That means in the other BJP-ruled states, is it the government which is taking such decisions. People there are also eating fish, meat. Yes, one kind of non-vegetarian food (beef) has been banned which, religiously, is a very sensitive thing for us. They only want to engage in politics of this kind.
IANS: Is a division being created among Indians?
Chakraborty: This division is not new, it is being created by her (Mamata Banerjee). One to one-and-a-half years after she came to power, it started. Have you ever heard of Hindu-Muslim division like this in Bengal before? After she came to power, it has been about dividing people and turning votes in their favour.
I know Muslim brothers (in Bengal) will not vote for BJP. It is ok. But how did the BJP come to power in other states? Muslims voted for us, right? Muslims in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh also voted for us. This time in Bengal, too, they will vote for us.
IANS: People have seen that you have been actively engaged with the BJP, especially for the last two years, why don't you want to contest elections or have CM aspirations?
Chakraborty: All these things are not my political ambition. Whatever God has given me, I am not even able to handle that fully. The second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award — the top honours — have been given to a poor man, someone who came from the 'footpath'. I am still unable to take it all in. So why would I want more.
Also, I don't want to contest because if I do, I will get restricted to one place. I don't want to be restricted to any one place. Because if I contest from a particular place I will campaign, eat and stay there only. That is my way of doing things.
IANS: What if the BJP wants to make you the Chief Minister in case of its victory?
Chakraborty: I will accept it. Whatever the party wants I will accept.
IANS: What is the first thing that you will do if you become the Chief Minister of West Bengal?
Chakraborty: I will not say that now. I am a ruthless man, sorry to say that. I don't do compromise politics.
IANS: What is your prediction about the Bhabanipur constituency contest?
Chakraborty: I am sure about Suvendu Adhikari's victory because after SIR, (Trinamool's victory) is difficult. Suvendu Adhikari will win.
IANS: The film 'Dhurandhar' is being called propaganda by some. How do you look at it?
Chakraborty: You (Trinamool Congress government) did not allow 'Bengal Files' to be released here. What bigger issue will you talk about than this? Yet, you are calling 'Dhurandhar', a propaganda. Then why didn’t you stop 'Dhurandhar' as well? It was released, and now you are calling it propaganda. But you didn’t even watch a single reel of 'Bengal Files'. From the very beginning, you opposed it and did not allow the film to be released in Bengal. What could be more unfortunate than this.
It (Bengal Files) is based on Noakhali massacre. It is even before our Independence but it's release was not allowed here.
But 'Dhurandhar' has broken all records. It is only possible after so many people watched the film. It has been watched by people of all communities. Everybody has praised the film.
--IANS
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