The name of his biography is ‘Anything But Khamosh’. From the world of films to politics, from BJP to Congress and now TMC- Shatrughan Sinha has a long journey. He is now a Trinamool Congress bypoll candidate for the Asansol Lok Sabha seat, where polling will be held on April 12. He spoke to News18 about his experiences with various parties, what he thinks about TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and what lies ahead. Edited excerpt:
How is it feeling, from BJP to Congress and now to TMC?
‘Khela Hobe’ party TMC and its leader, a great woman, great human being, future leader, leader of nation and national politics. He has shown his courage to the world by saying the slogan of ‘khela hobe’ against ‘Dhanshakti’ (wealth power) against the so called almighty ruling party. He has given them a befitting reply by defeating them with his leadership. Mamta’s announcement… It’s a great honor and occasion and it’s a great feeling, she tweeted for me.
You came to Kolkata in 2019, you joined Congress. How did Asansol’s candidature take place?
I was talking to him. I had a very good meeting with Prashant Kishor in the past and the role of my elder brother Yashwant Sinha was also very important in the decision making of the party as well as in my decision making. Let me talk about your journey. I left the BJP on people’s issues, demonetisation (demonetisation) and GST. Then I came, wherever I came, you know, in Congress. I will not say what the Congress did… what they said and did. I don’t want to complain. Why did he not fulfill what he had promised, not only with us but also with others. I wouldn’t say they took me for a ride or whatever. Being an actor and leader of the masses, I wanted to work against injustice for the society and the people. This was the opportunity Mamta di gave me. It was a great honor…I admire and love Didi. I couldn’t and didn’t… No one would dare to say no to Mamta didi. I have come here to fight for the rights of the people, for the people in Asansol. Asansol is very close to me. I love Bengal very much. I did Bengali films like Goutam Ghosh’s ‘Antarjali Jatra’, Shakti Samanta Dada’s ‘Mustan’. People have seen my love and weakness and attachment for Bengal, Bengali culture. I feel lucky to have got this opportunity. I can speak Bengali fluently and I have always had a special love for Bengal. Apart from being in Bengal, Asansol is a cosmopolitan place. We have our own Bengalis but there are many Biharis and people from UP. There are people from all over the country. Since I am the product of the blessings of the majority of the people in India, whatever I have earned has always been supported by the people of India from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, so in the true sense, I am a national person. When I was health minister or shipping, I didn’t make a difference. Now that I am in Asansol, it will be my honor that I will fight for the people of Asansol. Whatever injustice has been done to him, I will fight for him from the opposition bench.
Do you think Congress failed to be an alternative and Mamata has a chance?
Well, I don’t want to speak about Congress for the time being. My focus is on Mamata Banerjee’s leadership. He is not only the right choice but he is the best option for the people of India. He has potential and potential. She is the most capable, capable, respected leader of the country today. It has been tested and tested.
Can she become the PM face? what do you think
Well, as I said, she has shown what she can do in a wheelchair in Bengal. Could anyone have imagined that he slogged ‘khela hobe’ from a wheelchair and defeated everyone? They had all come to preach against him. Every Tom, Dick and Harry came. The propaganda machine was on. But the way she proceeded…Bravo! That’s the only option.
Trinamool Congress coined the story of Bengali vs Bahari (outsider) and now BJP says you are Bahari…
They have nothing to say against me, so they are coming up with this. I have no allegation of corruption or anything else. Hence this thing. I must admit that they are contradicting themselves by calling me an outsider, Bahari, Bihari Babu, Bengali Babu… I want to ask, if I am an outsider, what is the honorable Prime Minister doing in Asansol? Isn’t he an outsider? Anyone can contest elections from anywhere. If PM can contest elections then why others can’t. George Fernandes contested from Muzaffarpur and was from Karnataka. It’s not a big or bad thing. PM has not fulfilled any of his promises on ‘Namami Gange’ and other things but still he has the right to contest from Banaras. Where is he from there? When I was contesting from Patna and got the highest vote share, there was a narrative that I am a Bahari.
Babul Supriyo lived in Asansol for 10 years. have you talked to him? You cannot say that he did nothing, because he is from the same party now.
Babylon is a wonderful person, a great artist. Earlier some people wanted me to contest against Babylon in Asansol but I refused them. Once I contested against Rajesh Khanna. At that time I lost the election and so were my friends. He stopped talking to me. Later, I went to him and got it sorted out. I said sorry Somebody is a rising star, why would I fight and hurt that person? That’s why I didn’t contest the election. Feeling is important.
How would you say that the former MP did not work? The same can be said if an opposition candidate is a sitting MP. But now he is from your party…
It is a common practice of the opposition to say that the MP did nothing. They may not have been allowed to work in their ministry. The people of Delhi were scared of his popularity, so they snatched his security.
He was capable because if he was not capable then Mamta didi would not have taken him. He is contesting a very important election and I am telling you that he will get a very important post.
Will you go preaching to Babylon and it will come to you?
let’s watch. I will reach Asansol on 20th March and take brief information. I love Babylon. If I get a chance, I will definitely go. I have been an all India star campaigner for a long time. If they need it, I’d love to campaign for them.
Will Sonakshi also be a part of your campaign?
I’ve been on a lot of people’s campaigns. I want Mamata to campaign but if she is busy, we will do it together. Let me tell you, in the year I won with the maximum margin, I did not call PM or any important player, neither my friend Sushma Swaraj nor Sonakshi. The biggest star for me is ‘Janata Janardan’ (people). We will win with the strength of the people and our workers.
What do you tell your opponents when they criticize you?
Oh, I’ll say ‘Khamoshh’, (laughs) and let me tell you there will be ‘Khela Hobe’ in a big way.
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