TMC chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee during a public meeting in support of party candidate Saugata Roy for Lok Sabha polls, at Kamarhati, in North 24 Parganas. (PTI)
Saugata Roy to News18: “…we are telling people how the CAA is a ploy of the BJP to bring the NRC. With the CAA, they are dividing people…Sandeshkhali backfired, it was a flop show. They gave money to women to lodge false complaints.”
Saugata Roy, a veteran Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, is contesting for the fourth time from Dum Dum. Amid his campaign, Roy told News18 that “corruption is not an issue in this election”, even as he was confident that the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc will come to power.
“In India, corruption is never an issue, apart from Bofors which was ultimately proved wrong. Corruption is not an issue in this election,” he said.
Edited excerpts:
What’s the feel on ground?
The situation on ground is good. I am getting tremendous feedback from everyone. All MLAs and workers are working hard to ensure my win. Actually, this is TMC chief Mamata Banerjee’s election. Banerjee will have a meeting here on May 28.
Who do you think will come to power in the Centre?
I don’t think there is any way for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to come back to power. The alternative, INDIA alliance, will come to power. The BJP will not get a majority.
Who is your main competitor?
Let them toss a coin and decide who will come to power. I will be the first. Let them fight for the second and third position.
The Calcutta High Court has cancelled all OBC certificates issued by the WB government since 2010…
That’s a terrible judgement, we will go to the Supreme Court against it. It is anti-SC/ST.
Who will be the PM face of the INDIA bloc?
It will be decided after the results are out. Now it’s important to oust this government.
The PM’s campaign is for 400+ seats. He also he says he never spoke about Hindu Muslim…
He always speaks about Hindus and Muslims and communal politics. This will not work. His attack on Mamata Banerjee, saying she is backed by infiltrators, clearly proves he divides people on the basis of religion.
Why did Banerjee comment on saints?
We will target anybody who is favouring the BJP. Just because they are from a religious organization, we can’t spare them. I am neither an astrologer nor an apologist, we are going to people.
The BJP is alleging corruption by your party…
There are no allegations of corruption against me. In India, corruption is never an issue, apart from Bofors, which was ultimately proved wrong. Corruption is not an issue in this election.
Is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) an important issue?
Yes it is, we are telling people how this is a ploy of the BJP to bring the National Register of Citizens (NRC). With the CAA, they are dividing people.
What’s your take on Sandeshkhali, which saw allegations of land grab and sexual assault?
Sandeshkhali backfired, it was a flop show. They gave money to women to lodge false complaints.
