Trinamool Congress’s decision to field Cabinet Minister Biplab Mitra against sitting BJP MP Sukanta Majumder in Balurghat has set the stage for a fierce electoral battle. As the state party president, Majumder shoulders the responsibility of strategizing the BJP’s campaign for the Lok Sabha polls.
In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, Majumder outlines the BJP’s two-pronged campaign strategy: exposing the TMC’s alleged corruption and atrocities, while showcasing the development initiatives spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Majumder expresses concern over the attacks on Central agencies such as CBI, Enforcement Directorate, and NIA in Bengal, alleging that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is fostering a climate conducive to communal and anti-India activities. He calls upon secular individuals and intellectuals to safeguard Bengal from such influences.
Regarding the issue of infiltration, Majumder acknowledges the presence of Hindu refugees in border districts like Balurghat but emphasizes the need to address illegal infiltration. He highlights the BSF’s plans to establish check posts along the Indo-Bangladesh border and expresses disappointment over the state government’s reluctance to provide land for the project.
Majumder dismisses concerns raised by the CM regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), assuring that the BJP will extend support to anyone facing difficulties due to its implementation. He emphasizes that the CAA does not pose a threat to existing welfare schemes such as the state government’s Lakshmir Bhandar direct benefit scheme.
Drawing from the BJP’s performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Majumder expresses confidence in securing an increased margin of victory in the upcoming elections. He acknowledges the need to strengthen the party’s organizational structure and vows to surpass the TMC’s seat tally, potentially leading to the downfall of the state government.
Majumder stresses the importance of deploying Central forces early and maintaining their presence for a period after the elections to prevent post-poll violence. He dismisses the TMC’s allegations of collusion between the BJP and NIA as mere melodrama aimed at diverting attention from communal clashes in the state.
