Bengalis can't live without fish; food habits not BJP’s business: West Bengal party chief Samik Bhattacharya

New Delhi: Less than six months after winning a mammoth majority in West Bengal , the BJP government in the State is facing criticism over food choices purportedly being prescribed by godmen and the VHP during Durga Puja celebrations. In an interview with DH , State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya distanced the party from such statements, insisting that Bengalis will continue to have their fish and eat it too.

There has been a controversy over Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Baba Bhageshwar, a Madhya Pradesh-based godman who recently visited West Bengal and appealed that during Navratri, “even if Hindus don’t keep the idols of the Goddess, do not sell non-veg near the idols”.

There is no controversy. Individuals are entitled to their opinions. Many people in India eat vegetarian food. Does that lead to enmity with those who are non-vegetarian? Bengalis can’t live without fish. They will eat fish, and they will eat luchi-patha (mutton and puri). On Ashtami, however, Bengalis eat vegetarian food, and they will continue to do so. People can have opinions about food, but what has the BJP got to do with it?

But Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari received him and went to meet the Baba in Kolkata recently.

Anyone can receive anyone. I also went to meet him, as organisers had invited me as well. But that doesn’t mean he (Dhirendra Shastri) is the BJP’s spokesperson.

This is precisely what the Trinamool Congress is alleging. Once in power, has the BJP opened the State to people who impose food habits?

There is no party called Trinamool Congress. Which TMC are you talking about? The party is extinct.

Another controversy has embarrassed the BJP. A government advertisement depicted Goddess Durga with 11 hands.

I think it was a printing error. That’s unfortunate. We should have checked who was printing it and made the necessary changes.

We must fiercely reject VHP’s divisive mandates

Does it not give rise to apprehensions that external cultures and hegemony are being imposed on Bengal?

No hegemony is being imposed. After 34 years, one hegemony was replaced by another (the TMC replacing the Left). The people of West Bengal have experienced political hegemony for the last 49 years. As far as the BJP is concerned, we have changed that hegemony. We want to transform Bengal into a politically free society.

Do you agree with the Chief Minister’s statement on banning alcohol consumption and DJs on Ashtami?

Consumption of alcohol is not good for health. If anyone drinks and creates a nuisance, that must be restricted.

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What do you think should be the focus and priority of the State government?

Priority is to uplift the socio-economic status of the state, which was completely ruined in the past. West Bengal has become a non‑investment‑friendly state. For a new industrial policy, land is essential. When Mamata Banerjee came to power in 2011, her government declared it would not acquire even a square foot of land. Investors, whether public or private, were required to purchase land directly from farmers. And 82% of cultivated land in West Bengal is owned by small farmers.

Without a comprehensive land policy, it is impossible for investors to set up new industries in the state. We are working to change that.

In the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, who will be your main challenger? Mamata Banerjee, CPM or Congress?

Democracy needs a responsible and consolidated Opposition force if the system is to survive. The most unfortunate reality is that right now, we do not see anyone in that role. Trinamool is nirmool (rootless). As for the Left, they were accepted, tested and rejected.