Nandigram: Union minister for petroleum Dharmendra Pradhan, who is camping in West Bengal for the elections, said people of Bengal are fed up with pishi-bhaipo (aunt-nephew) and that there is strong “undercurrent” among voters against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s “misgovernance and loot”.
Pradhan was referring to the chief minister’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee, who has been the prime target of the BJP ahead of the polls, with the party accusing him of running syndicates that extort money from common people.
In an exclusive interview to ThePrint, Pradhan — one of the star campaigners of the BJP — said he doesn’t see any reason why Banerjee should make a comeback as people of Bengal have rebelled against her.
“Bhaipo and pishi maa (Banerjee) are one unit. Bhaipo is the chairman of a corruption syndicate, which promotes cut money. People are fed up with this culture. Even during Covid, they did not spare looting wheat and rice, which was supplied by the Centre for the poor people. People in Bengal chant ‘chawal chor TMC sarkar nahi chahiye (We don’t want a government that steals rice from people). This is heights of misgovernance,” he said.
Pradhan had been camping in one of the closely contested seats in Bengal — Nandigram, where Banerjee is taking on her former protege and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari — for more than a week. The minister, who is in-charge of more than 20 seats across the state, is now focusing on nine assembly constituencies in north Kolkata.
“I don’t see any reason for Mamata returning (to power) again because there is strong undercurrent against her among women and young voters. She only promoted nepotism, corruption, she terrified common people. This will translate into a huge verdict in favour of the BJP. Mamata Banerjee has no answer to people, who are asking about development,” the minister said.
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‘Looting Centre’s rice allotted to poor’
Pradhan said under Banerjee’s rule, bhai-bhateejawaad (nepotism) became the theme of Bengal.
“Under Mamata ji’s 10 years’ rule, development has not taken place. Violence, bhai-bhateejawaad, corruption have become regular themes of Bengal. When you don’t pay attention to development, people will ask questions. This is the reason people of Bengal have rebelled to defeat Mamata, she will lose Nandigram, besides losing Bengal,” he added.
“The youth has resentment, women are angry with her for siphoning off poor’s money. In a democracy, people give their votes to leaders so that they can perform and bring about development, but when people ask questions, you terrorise them,” he added.
Pradhan also accused the Banerjee government of looting rice supplied by the Centre for the poor during the pandemic.
“The Centre sent rice under Garib Kalyan scheme, but they did not spare the poor even during Covid and siphoned off that rice. I am speaking with all due responsibility that when the results will be out on 2 May, you will see the results will be in favour of poriborton (change),” he said.
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Her ‘outsider’ jibe for BJP is ‘hollow’
Pradhan attacked Banerjee for allegedly creating a false narrative of her being the ‘daughter of Bengal’ and accusing the BJP of being an ‘outsider’.
Asked how he sees the issue of the ‘outsider’ jibe influencing the elections, Pradhan said Banerjee’s taunt is hollow.
“Who is an outsider? Doesn’t Mamata ji visit Odisha? She visits Jagannath (temple) in Puri. Can anybody stop her from visiting Odisha? I am here from Odisha, half of the people in Midnapore speak in Odia. How can any chief minister who has taken oath in the name of the Constitution project other citizens as outsiders and run a political campaign on this?” he said.
“This shows her desperation and fear of losing the election,” he added.
Controversy over Mamata’s election agent
Pradhan further asked why Banerjee allowed a person, who has a non-bailable warrant against him, to create disturbance in Nandigram. He was referring to Trinamool leader of Nandigram Sheikh Sufiyan, who is Banerjee’s election agent.
“Mamata even went to the Supreme Court for her election agent’s presence in Nandigram. We requested the Election Commission to take care of these elements. This shows her desperation… A video also went viral in which she asked our district vice-president for support. She thought he would switch over and support her. It shows how she is afraid of losing elections. She is ready to do everything to secure victory, which is condemnable and worrisome.”
A few days ago, three people were injured in a clash in Nandigram, following which the BJP approached the EC over the role of Sufiyan in the clash.
Asked if TMC turncoats are causing resentment in the BJP, Pradhan denied it.
“There is no resentment in the BJP, the party is united in its fight against the TMC. Mamata tried to poach BJP leaders but has failed in her effort. This reflects the mood of Bengal,” he added.
Asked what the petroleum ministry will do for Bengal if the BJP comes to power, Pradhan said his ministry is working on several projects.
“If BJP forms the government, then we will ensure development of Bengal through special efforts. We will fulfill the dream of ‘Sonar Bangla’,” he said.
(Edited by Debalina Dey)
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Pradhan, your party makes all minorities feel like outsiders.