New Delhi: Days after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the BJP would restrict Bengalis’ dietary habits, including fish and meat, if it comes to power, the Trinamool Congress on Thursday stepped up its attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah ahead of his 15-day visit to the poll-bound state.In a social media post by X, TMC said Bangladesh welcomes tourists with open arms and recommended non-vegetarian delicacies of West Bengal for him to try.
“Amit Shah has announced his decision to spend 15 days in Bangladesh. Good. Bangladesh welcomes tourists with open arms. Stay as long as you want. And don’t miss out on some of our best cuisine,” the group said.“We highly recommend: Muri Ghonto, Pabda Macher Jhal, Ilish Bhapa, Chingri Malai Curry, Bhetki Paturi, Kosha Mangsho. Enjoy your stay! ” it added.This is in line with the TMC’s campaign pitch that the BJP is out of touch with Bengal’s cultural traditions. The controversy began when senior TMC leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, criticized the BJP-backed move against non-vegetarian eating habits. The remarks were related to a recent order issued by the Bihar government to regulate the public sale of meat.Addressing a rally, Banerjee said, “I have seen a report about Bihar deputy chief minister claiming that fish and meat cannot be sold in the open market. This is anti-people and should be condemned. Can everyone sell meat and fish in shopping malls? What will happen to most of the fish and meat vendors on the roads? What will happen to their livelihood? Such politics is sad.”“If the BJP comes to power, they will ban meat and fish in Bengal. I saw the Deputy Minister of Bihar saying that fish and meat cannot be sold in the open market. Only people with a license can sell meat indoors. So, will everyone sell meat and fish in shopping malls? Only a few have the financial means to do so. Most fishmongers sell fresh fish on the streets here. This is how they earn their bread. I condemn this politics,” she further claimed.Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya insisted that the people of Bengal were free to consume food of their choice and clarified that the party was only against the open sale of beef.Responding to the allegations, Bhattacharya said, “Bengalis can eat whatever they want. Bengal will have its own fish and meat.” He refuted the TMC’s suggestion of banning open sale of fish and meat in the neighboring state.Elaborating on the Bihar directive, he added that the BJP had not proposed any blanket restrictions. “They can never say such things. Why are they doing this? No one will accept it. TMC is distorting these comments,” he said.Elections to 294 seats in West Bengal will be held in two phases: April 23 (152 constituencies) and April 29 (142 constituencies), with results scheduled to be announced on May 4 and the contest between the TMC and the BJP is expected to be closely watched.
