Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
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.
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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.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
