Mithun Chakraborty Was Originally a Naxalite, Has No Credibility or Respect, Says TMC’s Saugata Roy
Actor Mithun Chakraborty joined the BJP on Sunday in Bengal, ending days of speculation over his political innings. While the actor said the reason behind his move was his lifelong dream to help the poor, the Trinamool Congress said he has “no credibility, no respect, and no influence” among the people.
Rajya Sabha TMC MP Saugata Roy said that Chakraborty, a former Trinamool Rajya Sabha member, was originally a Naxalite and has changed parties four times in the past. “Mithun Chakraborty is not a star of today. He is a star of yesteryears. He has changed parties four times. He was originally a Naxalite, then went to CPM, then he joined TMC & was made a Rajya Sabha MP.”
Roy claimed that the actor had earlier left Rajya Sabha after being threatened by the BJP. “The BJP threatened him (actor Mithun Chakraborty) with cases by ED & he left Rajya Sabha & now he has joined BJP. He has no credibility, no respect, and no influence among the people,” the TMC leader was quoted as saying by ANI.
Hours after joining the BJP on Sunday, Mithun said he won’t jump any queues for the role of the chief minister. “If it (CM’s post) comes to me via protocol then I will consider it… but I will not jump the protocol,” he told CNN-News18 in Kolkata after sharing stage with PM Modi.
The veteran actor was present at the Brigade Parade ground in Kolkata where Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a mega rally.
BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya met Chakraborty on Saturday evening at his Kolkata residence and announced that the actor will attend PM Modi’s rally. He was present on stage with Chakraborty on Sunday and welcomed him to the party.
“My politics may be extreme but I am not with extremists. I won’t blame anyone but my choice to join TMC was wrong…I am not a leader. I was strongly involved in ultra left politics. I believe and still believe that I can help the poor. I supported Jyoti Basu and Subhas Chakraborty because they were people’s leaders,” said Chakraborty.
“I will work for the poor just like I have portrayed myself in films. I have helped many off screen but I never publicised it. BJP is trying to do something for the poor and if I am trying to help the poor then I need some help…I need to hold someone’s hand,” he said.
