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Mamata Banerjee hit out at PM Modi’s unscheduled trip to a jhalmuri shop during his campaign trail in West Bengal, calling it a “scripted drama”.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Murarai. (IANS)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his ‘jhalmuri break’ during a high-octane political campaign in Jhargram, calling it “scripted drama” and questioning how cameras were placed in the area before his arrival.
PM Modi made an unexpected stop at a roadside jhalmuri stall on Sunday while campaigning for the West Bengal Assembly elections, approaching the vendor and having the popular Bengali snack freshly prepared.
“It’s all drama. How come a camera was present when the prime minister suddenly made an unscheduled stop during the campaign? The entire episode was scripted. He was seen carrying a Rs 10 note in his pocket. Is it believable?” Mamata Banerjee said during an election rally, without naming PM Modi.
“Sometimes, during elections, he goes into a cave. Sometimes he claims to be a chaiwala. He is spending Rs 10 on a jhalmuri that is made by their own people. Why was a camera already installed in the shop beforehand? This is all drama. He brings his own people from outside by train to his meetings,” she said, adding that the TMC will stop all attempts to stop vote theft.
Murarai, West Bengal: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee says, “They have fitted a microphone, jhalmuri prepared in a shop with the help of SPG. He doesn’t have 10 rupees in his pocket. What a drama. During elections, he says, ‘I am a chaiwala,….Why was a camera already installed… pic.twitter.com/4fEAWNCjhX— IANS (@ians_india) April 20, 2026
She also alleged that the BJP was deploying central forces to “loot EVM machines” and manipulate votes. Banerjee accused the BJP of covertly backing “traitors” to field Independent candidates from minority communities.
The Chief Minister also accused the BJP of attempting to divide the country in the name of women’s reservation bill. “We have always fought for reservation for women. We don’t need a bill to give women seats,” she remarked.
PM Modi’s Jhalmuri Break
On Sunday, PM Modi made an unscheduled stop before a jhalmuri shop during his campaign tour, surprising bystanders and the vendor. Modi walked up to the stall asking the price of ‘jhalmuri’. “Bhai, apka jhalmuri khelao, kitna? Accha se bana do jhalmuri (treat me with your jhalmuri; how much is it? Make it tasty),” Modi told the shopkeeper.’
The PM, who was accompanied by his security personnel, handed over the money to the vendor, insisting that he accept the money. Asked by the shopkeeper if all the standard ingredients would be used to prepare the delicacy, Modi said, “Everything excepting nimak (salt)” which he does not use for health reasons.
He shared the snack with children present at the spot and also interacted with local women who had gathered nearby.
During a rally in the tribal-dominated region of Jhargram, PM Narendra Modi launched a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress, accusing it of being “anti-tribal” and “anti-women.”
(with inputs from PTI)
Murarai, India, India
April 20, 2026, 21:42 IST
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