How do you assess the BJP’s chances in the 2021 assembly elections?
Preparations are in full swing. You saw the [Lok Sabha] election results. Five years ago, no one could think of the BJP being in the shape that it is now. We are today marching ahead and are set to oust the Trinamool. Our target is to win 200 plus seats in the assembly polls.
How much progress have you made after the Lok Sabha elections?
We have made dramatic progress. People have realised that we can remove Mamata Banerjee from power. So, our membership has crossed 60 lakh. Look at Mamata Banerjee on the other hand, she is now visiting tea stalls and making tea to get closer to people. Not long ago, she had admonished a chaiwala who became the prime minister of India.
The BJP is being flooded by Trinamool leaders.
Look, in politics you have to [do so]. We are taking people who would like to dislodge Mamata Banerjee. And they are fed up with her and would like to desert her.
Most BJP workers are unhappy about it.
Yes, I know. But that is our compulsion. What can I do? I alone cannot set up a party as it would have just a few members. All parties in Bengal had done this. We need people from every field. Anyone who is not convicted can join us.
The Central government has upgraded your security. Are you facing death threats?
Intelligence reports say so. Our party units have also received such information. They had informed me earlier also, but I did not listen. But now since the Intelligence Bureau has reported so, my party has taken it seriously. Now I have to move to a new house for accommodating more security staff and for security measures like CCTV and other monitoring gadgets. Honestly speaking, these are impediments to my free movement. But I have faced 23 attacks so far and my car was smashed two dozen times.
Is it a political threat or a terrorist threat?
It is a mix of both. Attacks from rival political groups are understandable. But what came this time was far more serious. A Bangladesh-based insurgent group has been given the task to eliminate me. I am surprised to hear that I am under the scanner of the ultras.
Is this because of your relentless campaign in the border villages?
I took up the campaign against Bangladeshi ultras operating in Bengal’s border districts and across the state. I also talked about how they are being sheltered by the ruling party in our state. I threatened the ultras and now they are threatening me. But I am not bothered.
You recently courted controversy by saying that with just two ministers at the Centre, there is not enough representation for West Bengal.
The party leadership sought an explanation for this comment. They wanted to know whether I wanted to be a minister. They thought I said that because I wanted to be a minister. I told them that my job is to unseat the present Bengal government. I will not rest until I achieve it. I told them that I expressed that view when I was asked whether it would have been better if a few more MPs from Bengal were made Central ministers. But the party leadership did not want to burden our MPs as we will have to fight an election soon. And, I agree with that.