She starts her campaign with “Jai Shri Ram” and vows to fight against corruption if voted to power in Hooghly for the second time. BJP leader Locket Chatterjee, who won by more than 60,000 votes in the last election, will face film start-cum-game show host Rachana Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Confident of a victory from the seat, Chatterjee says she will bring Tata back to Singur to undo the “damage” caused by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Edited Excerpts:
Why will people choose you for the second time in Hooghly?
In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent me here. This was earlier a CPM bastion and then TMC’s den. I won with 46 per cent vote share and this is the second time I have been sent here. I hope Hooghly’s voters will bless me. There is too much corruption in the state and Modi-ji wants to rid Bengal and the country of graft. I want to be his soldier. We are working hard on this.
Your opponent from TMC is a film and TV star who hosts the game show ‘Didi Number 1’. Do you think your contest will be difficult this time?
All fights are difficult. Rachana is my friend but we lost touch for around 10 years. This fight is against corruption, not against any particular person. You know the kind of corruption that has taken place in all schemes here, such as the Awas Yojana scam, recruitment scam and ration scam. Three people from Hooghly TMC are behind bars. This is a fight against corruption.
TMC says BJP is using ED and CBI against the Opposition. What’s your take on that?
They are all thieves and yet they are saying that ED and CBI are utilised by BJP? You do chori [theft] and if you are caught, then it’s a conspiracy? See Shajahan Sheikh’s case. He has grabbed land through dadagiri [muscle power]. He looted people. There are documents to prove it. In the last 12 years, Mamata Banerjee has encouraged corruption. Anubrata Mondal and Jyotipriyo Mallick are in prison. TMC will be finished by 2026. ED and CBI are doing their work; it has no link to BJP.
In Sandeshkhali, a woman complainant has said fake complaints of sexual assault have been made. What is your view?
Since 2011, from Park Street rape to Kamdenu, Kakdwip, Medinipur, and Hooghly assaults have been termed pre-planned as per Mamata Banerjee. Bengal has become the most unsafe place for women despite the chief minister being a woman herself. The sting operation was deliberately carried out during polling but the entire country knows the truth. They can complain anywhere. They feel they are losing and hence are resorting to such tactics.
Why the Jai Shri Ram slogan?
People know ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and Modi-ji. Modi-ji made our dream come true after 500 years. This is our emotion.
The Opposition says you are using religion to get votes.
Bharat is Hindu Rashtra. Our roots are in Ram and Sanatan Dharma. We don’t say good morning, we say Jai Shri Ram. That’s what our culture is.
Hooghly is an industrial zone but there is no industry here.
Left and Mamata Banerjee destroyed industries here. Banerjee has used Singur for her politics. She has done nothing for farmers or the industry. This land is not suitable for farming. We want industries. If we come back to power, we will bring Tata back.
What’s your take on CAA?
TMC is misleading people and creating confusion. People will get citizenship but nobody will be forced to leave the country.
TMC says Lakhir Bhandar is the game-changer. What do you have to say?
That was during 2021, not at present. They are giving Rs 500-1,000 and snatching women’s prestige. They are not providing jobs but trying to silence people through money. We will come and create jobs for all.
Nationally, the BJP claims it will cross 400 seats. What about Bengal?
In Bengal, our target is 35 though we will try and win more. All candidates are working hard. We will get maximum seats for Modi-ji.
What will happen on your seat?
We will win by double margin because people will vote against corruption. I am confident. People want to get out of a corrupt system.
Explore the detailed schedule and key constituencies of the 2024 Lok Sabha Election’s Fourth Phase
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