Not a single divisive comment, PM Modi told me on the day of poll result: Samik

What specific instruction has the BJP brass given to ensure post-poll peace in Bengal?There is a specific direction from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On the day of results, he called me up to say that nothing that can foment divisive tendencies and violence must be uttered. He even specified words which need to be avoided by party netas and workers. Not a single opposition party office should be destroyed, he said.Opposition has already alleged post-poll violence and has moved court. There are visuals of bulldozers demolishing Trinamool offices in Kolkata. How do you explain that?We have followed a policy of ‘change, not revenge' in Bengal. We were successful in preventing what happened to us in 2021 after election. There has not been a single case of murder, gang rape or nude parade since the result day. We were certain that Trinamool would be ousted and apprehended that their workers would attack their factional rivals their rivals within the party. They took advantage of the change-over period. We need a few more days before the administration cracks down on such elements. We had a meeting about this on Tuesday.BJP has promised restoration of democratic process in the state. How do you want to achieve that?Given the poll results, we are in a position to easily topple many municipal bodies across the state. But we believe in plurality in the society and space for all political discourse. Mamata Banerjee was a charismatic neta who reached the top from the grassroots. Unfortunately, those who used her image were not political workers. They became turncoats overnight. In Tollygunge, TMC workers painted their party office saffron and handed over the keys to local BJP netas. This is not expected in a healthy political environment. The basis of a democracy is in the right to decide. We have to honour that. Otherwise, there will not be any democracy. The Chola dynasty had introduced a voting system in the 10th century. The Lichhavi dynasty used a voting system to elect or impeach a ruler. BJP wants to re-establish this ancient spirit of Indian democracy in Bengal.BJP promised implementation of Uniform Civil Code as well as ‘detect, delete and deport'. What will be the stance of the new administration regarding that?BJP wants UCC to be implemented. But it is up to the govt to decide when it is up for the implementation. The timeline will be decided by the CM. There is a silent demographic invasion in India and we have been facing this problem over the past four decades. Organised groups are working towards this end with foreign help. Radicalisation needs to be stopped and govt has to be very vigilant about it. BJP will also follow the policy of detect, delete and deport. I must specify that Muslims who are Indian citizens don't have anything to be afraid of. Many don't know that during Covid, 1,500 Muslim families in Basirhat stayed at RSS camps for months. State govt did not stand by them.What do you think is the biggest challenge before the newly formed govt?The biggest challenge before the party is meeting the aspirations of the people. The state had been praying for good governance and development. There will be huge resentment among people if the govt fails to fulfil expectations. In 2011, one repressive regime was simply replaced by another repressive regime, nothing changed. This will not happen this time. It was an election of rejection in Bengal this time and people in the state reposed their trust in PM Modi. The new govt will now have to work towards winning the hearts of the people.How will the party ensure that the administration delivers good governance?BJP maintains a synergy between party and govt. The CM and the party's state president will work in tandem. But that does not mean the party will ever recommend transfer of an officer or interfere in the everyday functioning. The party manifesto will chalk out the core philosophy of governance.The state has a debt burden of around Rs 7.9 lakh crore. You have made commitments for welfare schemes too. Where do you see potential for investments?The state has enough potential to generate more revenue. We have rare earth mineral reserve in Purulia. Ashoknagar has oil reserves and the excavation is financially viable. Once it starts, there will be a cascading change in that locality. Apart from this, the state has manganese and gold reserves in Bankura and Kalimpong. Unfortunately, Bengal has turned into a consumer state instead of being a producer. Our target is heavy industries and investors are ready. Big-ticket investments will come to the state soon. However, bringing the state out of the debt trap will take time. But that is our priority.