The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has high hopes from Dr Sukanta Majumdar, who is being seen as ‘the Captain’ as well as an important ‘batsman’ for his team in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in West Bengal. Dr Sukanta Majumdar, BJP State chief, is contesting from Balurghat for the second time on the party ticket.
Majumdar is busy campaigning with polling set to take place in Balurghat in the second phase of elections on April 26. Speaking to News18 during his campaign, Majumdar called the TMC “characterless, lootera and chor (thief)” and also hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over issues like CAA, Sandeshkhali and corruption.
Here are excerpts from Dr Sukanta Majumdar’s interview with News18:
Q: How’s the josh?
Dr Sukanta Majumdar: The josh is high for me. The last time we won this seat by around 35,000 votes, this time, the margin will be around 1 lakh votes. This time we will win this seat by a bigger margin as a gift to Modi ji.
Q: CAA is very big issue. How will it affect the BJP as a whole and also on your seat?
Dr Sukanta Majumdar: Balurghat is a constituency in the border area in South Dinajpur. A lot of people have been compelled to leave Bangladesh and come here. We will provide citizenship to all refugees. As a Hindu, I personally believe that if any person, who is a Hindu and is facing torture in another country, they have every right to come to Bengal. Shyamaprasad Mukherjee fought for us. Balurghat was with Pakistan for three days even after Independence. It was Shyamaprasad Mukherjee who fought and this area got Independence. That’s why I personally believe whenever Bengali Hindus face any problems in any other country, they have every right to come back to Bengal.
Q: Mamata Banerjee has said that those who apply for citizenship under CAA will be considered foreigners. What do you have to say to that?
Dr Sukanta Majumdar: Our country is a product of partition, and we have to accept this truth. That partition was made on the basis of religion. We have to accept that fact. We have a unique problem. Hindus who became refugees have to come here. Even my forefathers came from the other side in 1947. That was legal, but now if people come here and seek citizenship, why is that illegal?
Q: What do you have to say to people who will apply for citizenship under CAA? What do you have to say on the TMC campaign that once anybody applies, that person will become a foreigner?
Dr Sukanta Majumdar: Being the chief of BJP’s Bengal unit, I can assure everyone that nobody’s citizenship will go. Through you, I want to tell people to apply, it’s my responsibility to give you citizenship. Mamata Banerjee is spreading lies. When CAA was passed, railway stations were vandalised. But this time, minorities, too, understood that what Mamata Banerjee has been saying is not right. Mamata provoked them at that point of time.
Q: Sandeshkhali is an issue this election. The opposition is saying that you are eyeing women votes and that’s why you are highlighting Sandeshkhali?
Dr Sukanta Majumdar: Sandeshkhali is not a one-of incident. There are more such TMC leaders present in other ares. Here in Balurghat also, a TMC candidate’s brother is from the same category. TMC means characterless, lootera, chor. Thief and TMC are synonymous.
Q: Is Corruption a big issue this time?
Dr Sukanta Majumdar: It is definitely an issue. Corruption has become the character of TMC, but this time, people will focus more on Sandeshkhali. It is a penetrating issue. As for corruption, people have become habituated with it. While we did not have any proof earlier, now we have heaps of proof.
Q: Are you reaching out to women?
Dr Sukanta Majumdar: Obviously, 50 percent electorate is women. We are always with women and will reach out to them. Bengal families are women-led families. The women decide where to vote and where not to vote. Bengal is a women-led state.
Q: Mamata Banerjee is saying they are giving Lakshmir Bhandar.
Dr Sukanta Majumdar: We will give Rs 2000 to 3000 in lakshmir bhandar and we will name it Annapurna bhandar. Though this will not help them, what they require is industry and BJP will bring industry. Our young generation will get jobs. Our state’s economic condition is bad.
Q: Is violence an issue in election?
Dr Sukanta Majumdar: It’s very difficult to have violence-free election in Bengal for TMC. I hope central forces will do well. They will do their work.
Q: The ED, NIA were attacked, but the TMC called it a conspiracy saying they have proof.
Dr Sukanta Majumdar: If there is any proof, go to court. If they have the truth, they should go to court.
Q: You are the captain as well as a player in West Bengal. How you are managing?
Dr Sukanta Majumdar: The party is the captain. I will complete my election with a win.
Q: The Chief Minister has claimed that you will spread violence on Ram Navami?
Dr Sukanta Majumdar: It’s the festival of the Hindu community. It is the duty of Mamata Banerjee to keep peace. I have information that she has instructed communal forces to attack people, the way she did in 2021. She said it’s the EC’s responsibility and instructed goons to create violence.
Q: What’s your take on Dilip Ghosh’s comment?
Dr Sukanta Majumdar: He has been showcaused. But Mamata Banerjee calls me Kulangar (bad person in dynasty), how is that justifiable? Kulangar is her family member.
Q: Will you touch 35 seats this election?
Dr Sukanta Majumdar: We have promised Amit Shah and we will do it. I brought train to my constituency and have spent Rs 3 crore to come up with an AI centre. Last time, I knew nothing when I contested, this time I know that people will support me.