As the last phase of Lok Sabha elections in Bengal is scheduled to take place on June 1, 2024, Anirban Ganguly, Bharatiya Janata Party’s Lok Sabha candidate from Jadavpur, talked to Organiser Assistant Editor Ravi Mishra in Kolkata. He said that corruption, Infrastructutre and security of women are the biggest issue in this constituency: Excerpts
You are contesting Lok Sabha Elections from Jadavpur. What vare you expecting?
I am expecting a victory for Bharatiya Janata Party. Jadavpur has been a very historical seat. But interestingly, in the last 15 years it has had a very strange history. Trinamool Congress members who have won from here, they have never repeated. They were never found to be with the people or beside the people.
What are the issues this time? Because it is a different elections from 2019.
Jadavpur Lok Sabha has not attained its potential. There are infrastructural issues. For example, for years, people have been demanding the expansion of the metro to Baruipur and Sunarapur. That has not happened. There is an acute problem of water. Jal Jivan mission deliberately has been delayed. In certain pockets, you have Rohingyas who have been settled here illegally. That too is an issue.
“Like Congress, Trinamool Congress is also keen that a certain percentage is snatched away from the OBC quota and given to the minorities”
Corruption is one of the biggest issue here in Bengal. So are people angry about this here?
There is a huge anger amongst people because they have realised the kind of exploitation that they have been subjected to starting from recruitment scam to teachers recruitment scam to ration scam to the mid-day meal scam. Along with that, there is a serious situation of national security where you have the NIA investigating and picking up terror modules active and using Bengal as a corridor. Also, there a sense of insecurity among people– No opportunities, no avenues. There is a depleting investment. Large number of youngsters have gone out of the state. Nearly 28 lakh people have gone to other states. All these issues are there. But because West Bengal politics is so violent that there is a certain amount of hesitation and fear amongst people to express that anger. That anger can be expressed to the ballot box. You don’t see it happening in any other state. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh have all crossed that stage. It is only in West Bengal where you see this is still happening, where People are not allowed to go and vote.
“Mamata Banerjee is trying to spread maximum misinformation on Sandeshkhali. The women of Sandeshkhali, who have been oppressed and tortured, are all belong to Scheduled Castes. She has not had the guts to even visit Sandeshkhali”
There is allegation that jobs are being given to Muslims only.
Trinamool Congress is part of the I.N.D.I. Alliance which talks about religious reservation, which is completely against the spirit of the constitution. All these I.N.D.I. Alliance members are prone to reservation on terms of religion. So, the Trinamool Congress is also keen that a certain percentage is snatched away from the OBC quota and given to the minorities. These ideas are part of that Congress’ DNA. The same DNA which has completely destroyed the social fabric of this country for 50 years. And it is the same DNA which has led to cross vote bank politics in this state, where the chief minister says that those who observe Ram Navami are basically rioteers. She made this statement in a public meeting. According to her Ram Navami for Hindus is a day when they will riot. What more proof is needed to show the actual mind-set of the Trinamool Congress ?
Demographic change is also a big issue here, especially along the border districts. Do you think that TMC is deliberately doing this?
This is being deliberately done by TMC in order to consolidate their vote bank, especially along the border areas. Trinamool Congress practices vote bank politics. This has been the left policy and This is being followed by TMC. A lot of illegal activities along the border areas are taking place. Whenever the BSF tries to curtail them, there is an attack by these people. So, situation at the border areas of Bengal is volatile .
Mamata Banerjee talks about Maa-Mati-Manus. But we all saw what happened to the women in Sandeshkhali. However, It is also a fact that women are the biggest factor in every election in the state. This is the reason why she kept winning elections after elections.
This is the reason why Mamata Banerjee is trying to spread maximum misinformation on Sandeshkhali. The women of Sandeshkhali, who have been oppressed and tortured, are all belong to Scheduled Castes. She has not had the guts to even visit Sandeshkhali. TMC is trying to spread fake news to turn the narrative, which has been exposed.
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