“India has voted against Railgate, Coalgate, 2G, 3G and Jijajee” – Shatrughan

By Subhash K. Jha -

May 20, 2014 - 12:14 PM IST

Shatrughan Sinha, fresh from the massive victory in the Lok Sabha elections speaks to Subhash K Jha.

In spite of the pre-result whispers to the contrary you have won by massive margin?

Ha ha, we're getting ready for celebrations. Yes, I've been getting congratulatory calls and messages from colleagues and friends from the industry Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan among them. Badi der ki mehebaan aate-aate ...Der aaye durust hai. Shabana Azmi called and raved about the massive mandate. I've won by a much higher margin than the last time. It seems I've broken my own record.

“India has voted against Railgate, Coalgate, 2G, 3G and Jijajee” – Shatrughan

What do you have to say to those who were hoping to see you flounder this time?

I hold no grudges against them. I forgive them, as they know not what they do or have been doing. I've broken my own previous record. Isske aage kya kehna? The people who were spreading rumours of my impending defeat were being sponsored by vested interests. Woh kisi ke saujanya se yeh sab kar rahe honge (laughs). But I am very happy. I had promised the people of Patna and members of my own political party that not only that would we win we would create a new record. Sabka mooh bandd karke humne inhe khamosh kar diya. We've created a new milestone.

No non-Congress party has been given such a thumping majority in decades?

That's exactly what I want my opponents to know, and our friends from the minority communities in particular to know. I want them to see the writing on the wall. I had predicted we'd cross 300 seats during this Lok Sabha elections. Our brothers and friends from the minority communities should understand that India has voted against Railgate, Coalgate, 2G, 3G and Jijajee (Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra).

Does Jijajee have reason to be scared now?

Anybody and everybody who has taken the country for a ride and who has indulged in massive corruption in the garb of white-collar crime would have to be dealt with firmly. And I'm sure the Action Hero (Narendra Modi) would deal with them in the sternest way possible. These white-collar criminals have played with the junta's emotions for too long. Inka kuch toh ilaaj hona chahiye.

Inflation and corruption brought the BJP and Narendra Modi into power. Do you agree?

Bilkul. The failure of the UPA government and its leadership was reflected in the massive rise of corruption and in the price-rise. How long could the masses tolerate these conditions? Every revolution is born out of instability and chaos. The hahaakar of the UPA government proved to be the jaijaikaar of the BJP.

The general perception is that you belong to L K Advaniji's camp. Would that be a problem in your equation with Modiji?

Let me state clearly, I belong to no camp. Even as an actor I never belonged to any camp in the film industry. I was as devoted to the film industry as I am to the Bharatiya Janta Party. I am in no camp except the BJP. Having said this I'd like to add that Advaniji has contributed the maximum to bringing the BJP party into power. He is a friend, philosopher, guide, mentor and guru not only to me but the entire BJP. He is the party's godfather. No one should talk about him in a disrespectful manner. And we'll always look forward to his guidance.

Do the Muslims have reason to fear the Modi government?

I am glad you asked me this. I hope good sense prevails upon some of our friends from the minorities. The writing on the wall for the minority communities is clear. Come and join the mainstream. Those who were spreading ugly rumours about Narendra Modiji have all bitten the dust. And someone had just had to resign from Bihar after taking on Narendra Modiji.

You mean Nitish Kumar?

Samajhane wale ko ishaara kaafi hai. Let the courts decide what happened in Gujarat in 2002. We are not a Banana Republic .We can't sit judgment on someone. Forget the politics of caste and community. That's outdated. Development, progress prosperity peace are the key-words. I tell my friends from the minority community even in Pakistan... Dushmani jamm ke karo par itni gunjaayish rahe jab kabhi hum dost bann jayen to sharminda na hona pade. Never over-shoot the runaway. Don't vote for us. But don't judge us on the basis of your prejudices. Watch us. Watch our performance. Rootho zaroor tooto mat.

Nitish Kumar decision to part ways with Narendra Modi proved his undoing. Comment

That decision proved a deadly decision for him. It put the last nail on his political coffin.

There was a signature campaign against Narendra Modiji in your film industry?

Oh God! Pseudo-intellectuals headed by a headless team. Their high command was a headless chicken.

Are you going to take over the I & B portfolio?

I won't hesitate from taking up any responsibility that my party wants me to. Long back I was offered the I &B portfolio. But I had declined.

Why?

Hamare industry ke colleagues mera jeena haraam kar denge. And why me? There's Hema Malini also. There are other portfolios for me. It's the prerogative of the Prime Minister. If he thinks me fit for a cabinet responsibility, I'll take it up and handle it to the best of my abilities. Bhaagunga nahin lekin maangunga nahin.