For actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has all the qualities to be India’s prime minister. The TMC leader, contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections for the second time, said he is confident of the people’s love for him and hopes to win with a larger margin.
News18 spoke to the star who had only one message for voters — “Yeh Khamosh Mizaaji Tumhe Jeene Nahi Degi, Zamane Mein Rehna Hai Toh Kohram Macha Do (Quietness will not keep you alive, if you want to live in this place, Make some noise) society).
Edited excerpts:
Your district is hot both thermally and politically. What do you have to say?
It is also the hottest constituency for love and tenderness. People here believe in harmony. It’s a truly cosmopolitan city and I’m excited to represent it. Bihari Babu has now become Hindustani and Bengali Babu. I am here on the orders of one of India’s most powerful leaders, the Iron Lady of India. When I first came here, I got appreciation from people. The rest is history.
This is the bastion of the BJP. Babul Supriyo won here in both 2014 and 2019. Last time, you won by three hundred thousand votes. What will happen this time?
I wouldn’t say I have confidence, I have confidence in our people. Whatever funding I got, coupled with Babul Supriyo’s old funding, helped us do a lot of work. I created a booklet about the work Asansol does and shared it with people. It is regrettable that funds in Bangladesh have been stopped by the Centre, be it the Development Fund, MGNREGA Fund or Awaas Yojana.
They (BJP) say you are all addicted to corruption.
They would say things like this. All the assurances given by Prime Minister Modi are “jumla”. What did he do? He comes with new assurances to destroy the old “jumlas”. First they have to answer why they stopped our funding. We want “Sadda Haq” (our rights).
Will Lord Ram’s influence be felt in your constituency?
I know that people here have only one mentality, which is to support Didi. They cling to her. Mamata-ji is a tigress and people will vote for her. The center has stopped our funding but she still gives us money. Mandir-Masjid is about personal faith. My house is called Ramayan and our brothers are named after the epic, but I will not ask for votes in these areas. People see the work that parties do and vote accordingly.
Do you think Mamata Banerjee can stand up to PM Modi?
She had fought back against him. She is fully capable of becoming Prime Minister. My friend Modi became Prime Minister. What is he? He is the chief minister of a country. He has no special qualifications. If you have the numbers, you can also become a PM. Mamata Banerjee has her own trends. There is only one female chief minister in the country who is so popular. The center is attacking her. We talk about women’s popularity, but last time they did “Didi, oh didi.” To this, people gave answers. This time, they’re doing the same thing. This proves Banerjee’s strength.
What are your thoughts on Sandesh Khali?
What happened in Karnataka? Their alliance partners are embroiled in the world’s biggest sex scandal. What happened in Hathras, Unnao and Manipur? They are not ashamed of it. PM Modi was talking about Sandesh Khali’s disgrace and not anyone else’s disgrace. If these accusations are true, then there is no doubt that what happened to Sandesh Khali was bad. Strict action has been taken against the accused. It was late due to court orders and the capriciousness of the CBI. After saying so much, do you still say that about Didi? Asansol will take revenge.
Home Minister Amit Shah told News18 that they will get 30 seats in Bengal.
He is today’s Chanakya after Sharad Pawar. He said in Delhi that they will win with 2/3 majority, what happened there? What happened in Karnataka? He said these words to boost the morale of the cadres, but it had no effect. Their “400 Pa” simply won’t happen. They can get up to 150.
They said that more than 100 seats were obtained in the first two phases.
They know EVM very well, they must be onto something.
Asansol has no industry. There were accusations of corruption and funding cuts.
You know what happened in Karnataka is about 40% commission. We will work together to prevent these things from happening. No one can ask this question about me. I will work together as a team to take Bengal to the next level.
What are your thoughts on SS Ahluwalia?
Ahluwalia is my friend and I have no enmity against him. This is a battle over ideology. This is a democratic country. I will not make the opposition “khaamosh” (quiet), but my job will be “dhamaakedar” (explosive). This will beat the previous record.
What would you like to say to the people at Asansol?
“This kind of silent emotion will not keep you alive, it will create chaos in the world.” (You can’t survive in silence. If you want to survive in this society, be louder).
Check out the 2024 Lok Sabha election third phase schedule, main candidates and constituencies: news18 website.
