GUWAHATI: BJP candidate for Karimganj Lok Sabha seat and sitting MP Kripanath Mallah is confident of winning. He says that the Congress and AIUDF(All India United Democratic Front) are in a battle for the second position in the constituency. Rahul Chanda of GPlus, catches up with him for an exclusive conversation, as he goes about winding up his campaign. Karimganj goes to poll on April 26.
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GPlus: You are the sitting MP contesting from Karimganj. What are the 5 changes you brought in Karimganj in the past five years?
Kripanath Mallah (KM) : First of all, the national highway from Karimganj to Chiraibari was in a poor state, but now it is much better. Even the road from Silchar to Karimganj was in a bad state. Now it is the best in Karimganj. Besides, Rs 2000 crore has been sanctioned for roads from Karimgnaj to Chiraibari, Silchar and Sutarkandi.
Another thing is the international railway station Mahisasan. People can reach Karimganj from Kolkata via Bangladesh in 8-9 hrs. This is one of my biggest achievements during my time. Also, we have waterways from Kolkata to Karimganj, which will also be continued; MoU with Bangladesh has already been signed by our minister Sarbananda Sonowal sir.
GPlus: What are the 5 more changes that you will bring if you become MP again?
KM: Two more routes. One from Badarpur ghat to Mizoram, and another from Silchar via Ramkrishna Nagar, Pashimganj. These are very important. Besides, one industry will be set up here.
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GPlus: People are commenting that Congress candidate is pretty strong. So, what is your strategy to make people vote for you?
KM: Why to even vote for Congress? Congress is nothing. Congress has no government in Assam. It is BJP government that is running Assam. And it’s a given that Narendra Modi will become the PM. So why even bother voting for Congress?
Those who want development will vote for BJP.
GPlus: Under your constituency, there are many Muslims and they are against CAA. So, how do you plan on winning their votes?
KN: No, there is no effect of CAA. Even Muslims are supporting BJP now because they want development. For development they will vote for BJP.
GPlus: Is delimitation helping you in any way?
KM: Delimitation is nothing. It is no problem. People will vote.
GPlus: So, how confident are you?
KM: Totally 100%. It is a given that we will win.
GPlus: So, who is your competition this time? Congress or AIUDF?
KM: Congress and AIUDF are fighting between themselves for the second position.
GPlus: Since Karimganj is bordering Bangladesh, is there immigration or migration problem here anymore?
KM: Not now. There is no immigration here. It used to happen way back.
GPlus: Congress is alleging that AIUDF candidates are dummies of BJP. What are your comments on this?
KM: See, BJP is BJP and Congress is Congress. I already said Congress and AIUDF are fighting for the second place.