I ate jhalmuri, Trinamool felt the heat: PM jabs Mamata Banerjee as Bengal votes
I ate jhalmuri, Trinamool felt the heat: PM jabs Mamata Banerjee as Bengal votes
M.U.H
23/04/202613
Jhalmuri, a popular Bengali spicy snack, has turned into a battle cry in poll-bound Bengal. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unscheduled stop at a nondescript roadside stall to have jhalmuri last week during his poll campaign in Bengal’s Jhargram, a political slugfest erupted between him and the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Taking a swipe at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party for turning it into a political issue, PM Modi, while addressing a massive public meeting in Krishnanagar on Thursday, said that while he ate jhalmuri, it was the TMC that felt the jolt.
“By the way, I have heard that jhalmuri has also given some people a strong jolt. Jhal Muri maine khaayi lekin jhal TMC ko lagi hai (I have eaten jhalmuri, but it is TMC that has felt the sting),” he said.
He also expressed confidence in a BJP victory in Bengal and said celebrations would be held on May 4, with sweets and jhalmuri to be distributed.
“On May 4, there will also be celebrations of BJP’s victory in Bengal, sweets will be distributed and jhalmuri will also be shared,” he said.
As voting for the first phase continues in West Bengal, PM Modi extended greetings to voters and urged a record turnout. He also noted that, in his five decades in politics, this election has seen the lowest level of violence so far, marking what he described as a significant shift in the electoral atmosphere.
Soon after visuals of PM Modi enjoying jhalmuri went viral, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called it a poll gimmick and a drama. She questioned whether it was a choreographed event, noting the presence of numerous cameras while he was having one of Bengal’s favourite snacks.
"How come cameras were present when he made the unscheduled stop? The entire episode was scripted," she asked.
Mamata did not stop there and went on the offensive in her rallies.
“You have suddenly started loving jhalmuri. But what about people being prevented from eating fish and mutton in BJP-ruled states?” Banerjee asked.
At a rally in Birbhum, she questioned the spontaneity of the act, saying, “Cameras were placed there beforehand. The SPG (the force responsible for providing proximity security to the prime minister) had arranged for the whole thing.”
"He was seen carrying a Rs 10 note in his pocket. Is it believable? It's all drama," she added.
At another rally in the Khardaha assembly seat, the chief minister said, "One has the right to eat whatever he loves. I love litti, chhatu, and dhokla, everything. Why should you stop eating non-veg?"
"We never dictate anybody's dietary habits. Once we win (the West Bengal polls), I will send tiler naru (sesame seed laddoo), khirer naru (thickened milk laddoos) to every BJP leader who came to Bengal," she said.
During his visit to the shop, PM Modi asked the shopkeeper the price of the jhalmuri. When he was told it cost Rs 10, he reached out to hand over the money. However, when the shopkeeper refused to accept it, PM Modi insisted that he take the payment.
