Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attacked West Bengal's Chief Minister on Sunday over the Kolkata rape-murder case, saying Mamata Banerjee will not be able to escape the repercussions.
In this interview to IANS, the former CM spoke on a range of issues including the rape and murder case of the trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical and Hospital in Kolkata to Jharkhand politics given the coming Assembly polls in the state.
IANS: What's your take on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee frequently writing in to the Prime Minister over the rape and murder case of a trainee doctor in Kolkata?
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Mamata Didi has become stone-hearted. I fail to understand how being a woman she can say all this when so many daughters are suffering. They are trying to suppress the issue.
First, lying to the parents over their daughter's health condition and later telling them that she committed suicide is a height of cruelty. A similar FIR was not lodged for hours and then evidence was burnt in front of the police. Now, it is the height of injustice. This cruelty will not last. The entire country has felt hurt and women are feeling insulted in West Bengal. Mamta Didi will have to face the result of it.
IANS: You have been made incharge for Jharkhand for the Assembly polls and recently Champai Soren joined the BJP. If BJP comes to power, he would be made the CM?
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Champai Soren hasn't kept any pre-conditions before the leadership. He has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party to save Jharkhand. He started a revolution against the way outsiders are taking over land and resources in Jharkhand. He is working towards a larger goal; now he is a respected leader of BJP.
IANS: Champai Soren is famous mainly in his Santhal area. So, is there a BJP strategy to seek votes from non-Adivasi communities and other Adivasi communities?
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Strategies are never disclosed. Champai ji is not alone; the BJP has strong leadership across all sections. We all are working hard, and you can be sure that the BJP will win with a thumping majority.
IANS: Since the scheme was your brainchild, Madhya Pradesh has the maximum number of Lakhpati Didis. The scheme was also copied by other states. How do you see that?
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Our Prime Minister promised the entire country that not just in Madhya Pradesh, but on every scale, women shall not remain poor. This process will make them earn an annual income of one lakh rupees. One crore women have turned into Lakhpatis till now and are working for making three crore women as Lakhpatis.
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