Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took a sharp dig at the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC), saying he ate jhal muri (a popular Bengali spicy puffed rice snack) but the TMC is feeling the burn. PM Modi’s remark came after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) criticised his “jhal muri break” a day earlier. The Prime Minister had taken a break on April 19 in Jhargram following a series of election rallies in the state.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had dismissed the “jhal muri break” as a “staged drama” and questioned how cameras and microphones were present for an “unscheduled” stop. She also alleged that the SPG had specially prepared the snack beforehand.
Addressing a rally in Nadia, PM Modi said, “We have observed in the past that wherever the country has witnessed a massive voter turnout, the BJP has achieved a resounding victory. On May 4th, the victory celebrations for the BJP will take place in Bengal as well. Sweets will be distributed, and ‘Jhal Muri’ will be handed out too. Incidentally, I have heard that ‘Jhal Muri’ has already delivered a stunning shock to certain people. ‘Jhal Muri maine khaayi lekin jhal TMC ko lagi hai’ I ate jhal muri, but the TMC is feeling the burn.”
Expressing confidence in the BJP’s victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that anger against the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is so strong that the party may struggle to secure votes in many cities.
He added that the people of West Bengal are now standing up against what he described as TMC’s “Jungle Raj” in every street and neighbourhood, asserting that it is the people—not the BJP—who are fighting this election.
“Anger is so much against TMC MLAs, ministers, local leaders and their syndicate that TMC won’t be able to open its account in many cities. Fifteen years ago, the people sounded the battle cry against the Left. Today, in opposition to the TMC’s ‘Jungle Raj’, the people of Bengal are blowing the ‘shankh’ (conch) in every street and neighbourhood. We are not the ones fighting this election; this time, the election in Bengal is being fought by the people themselves,”he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026 is the first election in the last 50 years in which violence has been kept to an absolute minimum, and congratulated the Election Commission.
“This is the first election of its kind in the last 50 years in which violence has been kept to an absolute minimum. Previously, it was common practice to hang someone every week and simply claim it was a suicide. In many respects, a regime of lawlessness and hooliganism prevailed. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Election Commission; they have once again restored the dignity of democracy on the soil of Bengal. I also commend the government employees here. Based on the information I have received so far, voter turnout is shattering all previous records,” he said.
Voting is being held in 152 constituencies of West Bengal in the first phase of the election on Thursday. In the second phase, voting will be held on April 29 for the remaining 142 seats in the 294-member Assembly. Counting of votes and declaration of results are scheduled for May 4.
