Referring to his viral stop for the popular Bengali snack jhalmuri, PM Modi said, “Jhalmuri maine khayi, lekin jhal TMC ko lagi hai,” implying that while he enjoyed the snack, its “spice” had unsettled the ruling party.
He further remarked that there is significant public anger against the Trinamool Congress, claiming that in some regions the party may struggle to win even a single seat. He also urged voters to support the BJP-led NDA in the ongoing elections. According to PM Modi, “On May 4, BJP’s victory will not only be celebrated with sweets but jhalmuri will also be distributed,” adding another layer to his campaign rhetoric.
Allegations Against TMC and Appeal to Voters
During his speech, PM Modi accused the TMC of sheltering “infiltrators” and promoting what he termed as “maha jungle raj” in the state. He appealed to voters to bring a change in governance by supporting the BJP-led alliance. He also addressed the Matua and Namashudra communities, promising accelerated citizenship processes under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) if his party comes to power. “Modi stands with them,” he said, assuring full rights and benefits for refugee families and communities seeking citizenship.
Political Row Over ‘Jhalmuri Break’
The controversy stems from PM Modi’s recent unscheduled stop in West Bengal at a street vendor in Jhargram, where he was seen enjoying jhalmuri. The video of the interaction, shared on his official social media account, quickly went viral, crossing millions of views across platforms. In the clip, the Prime Minister can be heard asking the vendor, “Bhai, hame apna Jhalmuri khilao,” before interacting with the shopkeeper and inquiring about the price of the snack.
TMC Calls Stopover “Scripted”
Reacting to the viral video, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the authenticity of the event. She alleged that the stop was staged, pointing out the presence of cameras despite it being described as an unscheduled visit. “How were cameras present when he made the ‘unscheduled’ stop? The entire episode was scripted,” she said during a rally in Murarai.
Viral Impact
The jhalmuri episode has gained massive traction online, with reports suggesting that the video has crossed over 100 million views on Instagram and a similar reach on Facebook, adding a social media dimension to the ongoing political debate. As campaigning intensifies in West Bengal, the exchange between the Prime Minister and the TMC continues to fuel political narratives on both sides.
