A jhalmuri vendor from West Bengal, who gained fame after serving the snack to PM Modi, claims he is receiving daily threatening calls from Pakistan and Bangladesh. Police have provided security after the vendor reported the harassment, which includes bomb threats and brandished weapons during video calls.
BJP workers celebrated their lead in West Bengal Assembly elections with traditional Bengali meals and sweets like fish curry, rosogolla, and jhalmuri. Similar food-based celebrations, including litti chokha and jalebi, were observed in past elections in Bihar and Haryana, highlighting food's role in political victories.
As election results favor the BJP, party leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga distributed jhalmuri to workers at the headquarters, referencing a symbolic campaign moment involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi in West Bengal.
West Bengal's Phase 2 assembly election campaign concluded with intense polarization, marked by high-decibel rallies and sharp political attacks. Prime Minister Modi's symbolic outreach and Mamata Banerjee's street-level campaigning defined competing narratives, while record Phase 1 turnout intensified voter mobilization efforts.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'jhalmuri jhatka' remark, promising to show the BJP the real 'jhal' (hot taste) of jhalmuri on May 4, when election results are declared. Modi had on April 23 said he enjoyed jhalmuri in Jhargram while the Trinamool Congress got a jolt from its 'jhal'. Banerjee also criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah's warning about punishing 'goons' after May 4, calling such language unbecoming of a Home Minister.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accused PM Narendra Modi of staging the jhalmuri eating incident during a campaign visit to Jhargram, claiming pre-planned arrangements including security checks and camera installations. She questioned BJP's confidence ahead of polling and raised EVM manipulation concerns. The first phase of polling concluded April 23 with 91.83% voter turnout, while counting is scheduled for May 4.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed his recent 'jhalmuri' consumption in Jhargram unsettled the Trinamool Congress. He promised expedited citizenship for Hindu refugees and criticized the TMC government for corruption and inefficiency ahead of the upcoming election.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended his unscheduled 'jhalmuri' snack break in West Bengal, mocking TMC criticism. The TMC alleged the event was a scripted 'photo op' that caused logistical disruptions for Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren.
PM Modi visited a jhalmuri shop in Jhargram, West Bengal during his poll campaign on Sunday, where vendor Vikram Saw from Gaya, Bihar served him. The video went viral with 100 million views on Instagram and 90 million on Facebook within 24 hours. CM Mamata Banerjee criticized the moment as staged "drama" with pre-installed cameras.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee called PM Narendra Modi's unscheduled stop to buy 'jhalmuri' during poll campaigning in Jhargram "drama", questioning how cameras were present for the sudden stop. The first phase of polling covering 152 seats will be held on Thursday, with the second phase for 142 constituencies on April 29 and vote counting on May 4.
TMC on Monday slammed PM Narendra Modi over his jhalmuri break in West Bengal's Jhargram, claiming his extended stay caused Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren to be denied permission to fly his chopper into Jhargram and forced to return to Ranchi without completing his scheduled campaign. The party called it "photo ops" and accused Modi of humiliating an Adivasi leader. PM Modi held rallies in Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram and Medinipur on Sunday, with the election to be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, counting on May 4.
