Chandigarh, February 18: Haryana’s Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam has made a bold prediction about West Bengal’s political future. Speaking exclusively to IANS, Gautam asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will sweep to power in the upcoming elections, marking the end of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s reign with the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Gautam painted a picture of a rattled Mamata Banerjee, claiming she is witnessing her grip on power slipping away. ‘Mamata Banerjee is panicking. She sees power sliding out of her hands this time,’ he stated emphatically. He accused her of relying on violence to govern the state, a tactic he believes will backfire spectacularly with the public.
‘Violence cannot run the country, and Mamata wants to run Bengal through violence. I believe the people will give a befitting reply, and under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the BJP government will be formed,’ Gautam declared.
Shifting focus to Haryana, the minister expressed optimism about the state’s upcoming budget presentation on March 2. He lauded the recent Union Budget as historic, highlighting a 33% increase in allocations for sports. ‘Whether it’s youth startups, AI, or MSMEs, the central government has boosted every sector,’ he noted.
Gautam anticipates a youth and sports-centric Haryana budget that addresses key demands like better stadiums, timely cash awards, and equipment for athletes. ‘We have demanded good stadiums, on-time cash awards, and equipment for our youth. A strong budget focused on youth and sports is coming,’ he assured.
Taking a dig at the opposition, Gautam accused them of prioritizing media stunts over substantive issues. ‘The opposition plays its role just to stay in the media. They don’t talk much about Haryana’s interests. They just create ruckus to show presence,’ he remarked.
On RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent statement advocating for three children per family, Gautam voiced full agreement. ‘I agree with what he said. It’s good,’ he affirmed.
As political temperatures rise ahead of key elections, Gautam’s comments underscore BJP’s aggressive push in Bengal and confidence in governance models emphasizing development over disruption.