'Bengal welcomes tourists': TMC offers fish-meat menu as Amit Shah plans 15-day stay

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday took a swipe at Union Home minister Amit Shah ahead of his proposed 15-day visit to West Bengal, using a social media post that highlighted the state's non-vegetarian culinary traditions. The remark comes days after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of targeting Bengali food habits.

In a post on X, the ruling party said, "Amit Shah has announced his decision to spend 15 days in Bengal. Good. Bengal welcomes tourists with open arms. Stay for as long as you like. And do not miss out on some of our finest delicacies."

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"We highly recommend: Muri Ghonto, Pabda Macher Jhal, Ilish Bhapa, Chingri Malai Curry, Bhetki Paturi, Kosha Mangsho. Have a pleasant stay!" it added.

Row over food habits

The exchange follows remarks by Mamata Banerjee linking BJP politics to restrictions on fish and meat consumption. The comments were made in the context of a directive in Bihar regulating the open sale of meat, reported The Times of India.

Addressing a rally, the TMC supremo had said, "I came across a report about the Bihar deputy chief minister asserting that fish and meat cannot be sold in the open market. This is anti-people and condemnable. Can everyone sell meat and fish in shopping malls? What will happen to the majority of fish and meat sellers on the road? What about their livelihood? Such politics is deplorable."

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She further alleged, "If the BJP comes to power, they would ban meat and fish in Bengal. I saw Bihar's Deputy CM say that fish and meat can’t be sold in open markets. Only those who have a licence can sell meat indoors. So, will everyone sell meat and fish in shopping malls? Only a few have the economic strength to do so. Most fish sellers sell fresh fish on the streets here. This is how they earn their bread. I condemn this politics."

BJP rejects allegations

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya rejected the claims, asserting that people in the state are free to consume the food of their choice. Responding to the controversy, he said, "People in Bengal will eat whatever they want. Bengal will have its fish and meat."

He added that there was no blanket restriction in the Bihar directive and accused the TMC of misrepresenting the issue.

The exchange comes ahead of elections for 294 seats in West Bengal. Voting will be held in two phases: April 23 for 152 constituencies and April 29 for 142 constituencies, with results scheduled for May 4.