Kailash Vijayvargiya Rules Out Polarisation, Says Mamata Banerjee Catapulted To Power On Emotional Gimmicks

Vijayvargiya, however, admitted that the second wave of the novel coronavirus proved detrimental for the BJP in the TMC-ruled state.

(File Photo/ Getty)

Kolkata: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya on Sunday ruled out polarisation in West Bengal where the TMC secured a landslide victory and alleged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee catapulted to power on emotional gimmicks.

Vijayvargiya, who was the BJP’s in-charge for the West Bengal Assembly polls, said the TMC chief had “written a letter to various opposition parties seeking support”.

“Rahul ji (Rahul Gandhi) then said that he would not campaign in Bengal. It was not that he was not going there in view of the Covid situation but it was actually a surrender. He surrendered, the CPM also surrendered. Around seven to eight percent votes got transferred (to TMC). This was one of the reasons,” Vijayvargiya told ABP News senior anchor and editor Sumit Awasthi in an exclusive conversation.

“Mamata Banerjee then asking the minority community Muslims to unite in the middle of the elections. A video then circulated saying that it would be difficult for the Muslims to live in Bengal if the Bharatiya Janata Party wins. It was also an emotional election, she sat on the chair (wheelchair) and then got up when the results came out. So in total, she fought an emotional election. We accept that somewhere we lacked. We about the issues of development, ‘sonar Bangla’ but when the emotional current works then nothing else fructifies. We have seen it in various elections,” he added.

The senior BJP leader also ruled out polarisation on part of the BJP in West Bengal.

“We did not indulge in polarisation. We talked about development. Had there been polarization then the results of the polls would have been different. Polarisation took place in the minority community. There was no polarization in Hindu society. So, we did not even attempt to polarise,” he said.

Vijayvargiya, however, admitted that the second wave of the novel coronavirus proved detrimental for the BJP in the TMC-ruled state.

“We will hold discussions on this. It is true that our performance has been extremely poor in Kolkata, which we call the presidential seat. There may be several reasons for this.  The Prime Minister did not attend a programme there in view of Covid. Amit Bhai (Union Home Minister Amit Shah), Nadda ji (BJP national president J.P. Nadda) did not go there. So, the entire belt was left from the campaigning point of view. In between this, Covid arrived and we did not conduct any assembly there, including that of Yogi ji (Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. So, the campaign could not be held there as thought due to Covid. So, you can say that we suffered a minor setback due to Covid and not due to propaganda,” he said.

“We have also seen that less polling took place in the urban areas. Even our own party workers said that they cast their votes but their parents could not as they did not step out due to Covid. So, our own voters besides our voters - the middle class and upper middle class – could not vote. Around 30 to 40 percent polling was held in those areas. So, it also damaged us,” he added.

Responding to a poser on whether the RSS workers could not motivate the people to come out and vote, Vijayvargiya said self-security is paramount for all in view of the pandemic.

“A RSS worker told me that he cast his vote but his parents and grand-parents could not as they do not step out due to Covid. So, when it comes to self-security then at times certain results come. So, we accept this loss,” Vijayvargiya said and quoted four lines from former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s poem “Kya Haar Main, Kya Jeet Mein, Kincheet Nahi Bhaibheet Main, Kartavya Path Par Jo Bhi Mila, Yah Bhi Sahi Wo Bhi Sahi”.

“We were at three seats in the last assembly, now we are 70 plus. We have come as an authorized opposition. Only two parties are there now, the other parties are not even visible. We have established a position in West Bengal. We will now sit in the opposition, there is neither the Congress nor Left. So, we have achieved a space there,” he added.

The BJP leader downplayed a question when asked whether the BJP’s predictions in West Bengal proved to be wrong and threw light on the violence, which took place today in West Bengal after the declaration of results.

“There were several calculations made. Our election campaign was based on development and ‘sonar Bangla’. We said that there is violence as we lost our cadres. Violence has once again begun….So, what Didi says ‘Khela Hobe’ has begun. I even said that you celebrate your victory but do not break the law and order and indulge in anarchy. So, the custom which has been going on for the last four decades since the CPM rule is extremely dangerous. We wanted the politics of violence and fear to end,” he said.

When asked as to what will be the fate now of TMC turncoats Suvendu Adhikari and Rajiv Banerjee who joined the BJP ahead of the polls,  he accused Banerjee of indulging in vindictive politics.

“Mamata Banerjee has openly said that I will see you all after the polls. She is habituated to vindictive politics,” he said.

Vijayvargiya also ruled out resignation by any BJP leader in view of the drubbing received in the elections.

“We have a collective leadership. Such kind of politics do not take in our party. When we win, we all win and same in the case when we lose. So, it is everybody’s responsibility,” he said.

The BJP leader’s remarks came as the saffron party failed to dislodge the TMC in West Bengal desperate an aggressive campaigning by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah besides others.

The TMC is so far ahead on 216 seats while the BJP is leading in just 74 seats.