By Ujjwal Roy

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 2 (ANI): BJP leader and veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty spoke on the upcoming West Bengal elections, expressing confidence in the party's strategy and approach on the ground.

Speaking to ANI, he highlighted the party's decision to field local candidates and said this move will strengthen their chances in the elections, '... This time, we have chosen a local person--whether for better or for worse. If we want to fight, then we will let a local person fight and return victorious and with this very hope, I can say that we will definitely win.'

On being asked about Union Home Minister Amit Shah raising the issue of infiltrators in West Bengal, Chakraborty agreed that illegal migration remains a serious concern in the state.

He said that the issue is affecting local communities, including Muslim citizens, especially in terms of jobs and welfare schemes.

'The Muslims of our Bengal are being severely affected because they are not receiving the jobs that rightfully belong to them. They are not receiving the benefits and facilities provided to our Muslim brothers and sisters by the Central Government,' he added.

Further elaborating on the issue of illegal immigrants, he said, ' There is a vacant land of 400 km that still lies empty; the Prime Minister has written several letters, but she (Mamata Banerjee) is refusing to hand over the land to him... She wants people to come, settle here, and keep voting for them...but her dream will not come true.'

On the SIR, Chakraborty defended the process and questioned the objections raised by the ruling government.

He said that such exercises are a normal part of governance and clarified the party's stand, 'What problem does the running government (TMC) have against it?... This is a natural course in every state, that after so many years, this process will take place? I would like to make it very clear that the BJP is not against Muslims. BJP is not against Indian Muslims. BJP is against those who want to harm India by living in India... The truth has come out in SIR... Everything is clear... So why should they protest? They have to protest because what will happen to their vote bank? Their vote bank has become empty...'

Speaking on the peaceful conduct of elections, he said that the Election Commission should step in to ensure smooth polling. He also alleged that violence could be used as a political strategy and blamed the ruling leadership for it.

'Election Commission should come forward... but if there is violence and Mamata Banerjee still wins, she will not accept it and will instead blame the BJP for the violence--this has been her strategy,' he said. On being asked about Humayun Kabir entering the electoral fray with a new party and campaigning with AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, Chakraborty said that while he respects Owaisi as a leader, he does not wish to comment on religious matters like the Babri Masjid.

'I like Owaisi sahab, he is a real leader..., but on Babri Masjid, I do not want to comment as it is a religious matter.'

According to the schedule, polling in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4. (ANI)