Siliguri (West Bengal)

BJP Siliguri MLA and candidate Dr. Sankar Ghosh strongly refuted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's claim that people would be restricted from consuming fish, meat, or eggs if the BJP comes to power, asserting that such statements are misleading and against cultural realities.

Responding to Banerjee's remarks, Ghosh said, "Didi, I appeal to you to come to my house, we will have fish together. You will also enjoy it. But these false statements that keep being made... saying fish is not eaten... this is not right."

He further emphasised that food habits are deeply rooted in culture and cannot be dictated by any political party. "People from Bengal and Bihar will eat fish and meat--this cannot be controlled by any political party because it is part of our culture. Ignoring culture in this way and spreading false statements to create fear among people is wrong," he said, talking to ANI.

Citing his own experience, Ghosh added that he had consumed fish at the Ramakrishna Mission, countering claims made by Banerjee. "The other day, I went to the Ramakrishna Mission on the occasion of Ramakrishna's birth anniversary, and I was served six to seven varieties of fish there. I ate fish at the Ramakrishna Mission," he said.

He accused Banerjee of spreading misinformation to create fear among voters, adding that such claims lack substance and are politically motivated.

These statements come after CM Mamata Banerjee's scathing attack against the BJP in the run-up to the 2026 state elections on Sunday, accusing the opposition party of inciting riots.

Addressing a public gathering in Purulia, CM Mamata claimed that the public will be unable to consume non-vegetarian food if the BJP is voted to power.

She reiterated her accusations against the BJP, alleging attacks against Bengal-speaking people in other states.

CM Mamata said, "Fish is not eaten in BJP-ruled states. If the BJP comes, you won't be able to eat meat or eggs. BJP is one-sided; they don't believe in any religion. These people incite riots. They come to power by inciting riots, and they come to power by killing people. Most attacks on tribal people, attacks on women, happen in BJP-ruled states. Our Bengali-speaking people are attacked in other states. We don't oppress anyone."

TMC has, on several occasions, slammed the BJP over attacks against Bengali migrant workers in other states. The party has taken it up a poll plank in the run-up to the 2026 West Bengal elections.

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West Bengal will hold polling for the elections in two phases, with the first phase scheduled on April 23 and the second phase on April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 4.

In the last assembly election in the state, held in eight phases in 2021, the Trinamool Congress recorded a landslide victory with 213 seats amid an intense contest with the BJP, which jumped to 77 seats. Congress and Left Front drew a blank in the last state polls.