West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unscheduled stop to buy “jhalmuri,” a popular Bengali snack, during his election campaign, calling it “drama.” Her remarks came shortly after PM Modi made the stop in Jhargram, where he engaged with a vendor selling the puffed rice dish.
Banerjee questioned the authenticity of the moment, stating, “It’s all drama. How come a camera was present when the Prime Minister suddenly made an unscheduled stop during the campaign? The entire episode was scripted.” She also noted that he was seen carrying a ₹10 note, which she implied was suspicious.
The Chief Minister made her comments while addressing a poll rally in the Murarai assembly constituency of Birbhum district. During his stop in Jhargram, after finishing a speech, PM Modi approached a stall where he asked the vendor, “Bhai, hume apna jhalmuri khilao” (brother, give us your jhalmuri). As the snack was being prepared, he conversed with the vendor about the price, inquiring, “Kitne ka hota hai jhalmuri?” (how much does it cost?).
In the exchange, when the vendor asked if he eats onions, PM Modi responded, “Haan, pyaaz khaate hain. Dimag nahi khaate bas” (Yes, I eat onions. But I don’t like irritating people).
The first phase of polling in West Bengal, covering 152 seats, is scheduled for Thursday, while the second phase for the remaining 142 constituencies will take place on April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
