Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s brief stop to buy a Rs 10 ‘jhalmuri’ during his West Bengal campaign has triggered a political row, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee dismissing the episode as “drama”.
The PM, during a campaign tour on Sunday, made an unscheduled halt in Jhargram and bought ‘jhalmuri’ - a popular Bengali snack made of puffed rice, green chillies and spices - from a roadside vendor. A video shared by Modi on his official X account showed him paying for the snack and insisting that the vendor accept the money.
“Bhai, apka jhalmuri khelao, kitna? Accha se bana do jhalmuri (treat me with your jhalmuri; how much is it? Make it tasty),” Modi was heard telling the shopkeeper.
When asked about ingredients, he added, "Everything excepting nimak (salt)" which he does not use for health reasons.
Sharing the moment online, Modi said, “Amid four public meetings spanning across West Bengal on a hectic Sunday, I savoured some delicious spicy puffed rice, Jhalmuri in Jhargram.”
However, Banerjee questioned the spontaneity of the stop, alleging that it was staged.
"How come cameras were present when he made the unscheduled stop? The entire episode was scripted," she said at a rally in Murarai in Birbhum district.
"Cameras were placed there beforehand. The SPG (the force responsible for providing proximity security to the prime minister) had arranged for the whole thing."
"He was seen carrying a Rs 10 note in his pocket. Is it believable? It's all drama," she claimed.
At the rally, the Trinamool Congress chief also accused the BJP of backing Independent candidates from minority communities in several constituencies and criticised the Election Commission over alleged deletions in electoral rolls.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
