New Delhi: The first phase of Assembly elections in West Bengal took place on April across 152 constituency seats. Amid that, Prime Minister Narendra Modi created a storm in the state during a meeting in Krishnanagar.
PM Modi said Bengal wants change this time
PM Modi said that he was seeing a storm of change in Bengal and everyone in the state, as per his opinion, unanimously wants change. He added that he is seeing people overcoming fear and embracing hope. Also, he thanked the Election Commission of India for the reportedly peaceful voting and also took a dig at Trinamool Congress over the jhalmuri controversy.
While addressing a massive public meeting in Krishnanagar on Thursday, PM Modi attacked the TMC for turning his jhalmuri eating into a political incident. He stated that while he ate jhalmuri, it was the TMC that felt the jolt. PM Modi said, “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 added, “On May 4, there will also be celebrations of BJP’s victory in Bengal, sweets will be distributed and jhalmuri will also be shared.”
The attack of CM Banerjee over jhalmuri incident
Notably, on April 19, during his poll campaign in Bengal’s Jhargram, PM Modi ate jhalmuri, a popular snack in Bengal from a roadside stall. Jhalmuri is the local snack of Bengal, and it is a puffed rice mixture typically prepared with onion, tomato, chillies, and mustard oil.
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After visuals of PM Modi enjoying jhalmuri went viral, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called it a scripted incident. She asked, “How come cameras were present when he made the unscheduled stop? The entire episode was scripted.”
During a rally in Birbhum, CM Banerjee said, “You have suddenly started loving jhalmuri. But what about people being prevented from eating fish and mutton in BJP-ruled states? Cameras were placed there beforehand. The SPG had arranged for the whole thing. He was seen carrying a Rs 10 note in his pocket. Is it believable? It’s all drama.”