‘Fishy Politics’: Anurag Thakur Eats ‘Maach Bhaat’ During Bengal Campaign; TMC, AAP Hit Out

Anurag Thakur and other BJP leaders were seen eating fish and rice to counter Mamata Banerjee’s narrative that the BJP will restrict fish-eating in Bengal.

BJP MP Anurag Thakur and other leaders eating fish and rice. (Photo: X)

BJP MP Anurag Thakur and other party leaders on Tuesday relished fish and rice (maach bhaat) on the final day of campaigning for the first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal, in a bid to counter Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s claim that the BJP will ban fish if it comes to power.

The video showing Thakur and other BJP leaders eating shorshe maach bhaat (fish in mustard gravy and rice) underscored how the dish had become central to Bengali identity and politics. The BJP’s Bengal unit has been working hard to convince the people that it is not opposed to fish-eating.

“We are eating meat, fish and rice. BJP has its government in 16 states, NDA has its government in 20 states, and there is no restriction anywhere on anyone’s speech, food, or worship,” Anurag Thakur told reporters in Kolkata.

“Mamata Banerjee has no achievements in 15 years, so she is resorting to spreading fear, confusion, and rumours. They couldn’t stop infiltration, corruption, couldn’t provide employment. May 4 will come, and TMC will be removed,” he said.

TMC, AAP Take Swipe

Meanwhile, AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha took a swipe at Anurag Thakur for eating fish while dressed in saffron attire, accusing the BJP for shutting meat and fish shops in other states and taking a different stance in Bengal for political gains.

“Look at how he’s eating fish on a Tuesday, wearing saffron and with sandalwood paste on! These are the very people who go around getting meat and fish shops shut down in Delhi and other cities. Now that Bengal’s elections are here, the Prime Minister has gone and imposed fish-eating on everyone. What all won’t you do for power, sir? This is the real move, character, and face of the BJP folks,” he said on X.

AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj accused Thakur of insulting Lord Hanuman. “Nepo kid eating non veg with tilak on forehead on Tuesday? Just for votes, they are ready to insult Hanuman Ji?”

TMC MP Mahua Moitra also mocked Thakur, saying, “Hello @ianuragthakur glad to see you are enjoying fish in Bengal. Don’t worry- this is not Fantaland, You can take a river cruise on the Hooghly & eat it too without getting arrested.”

Earlier, Mamata Banerjee warned that the BJP would restrict Bengalis from eating fish if it came to power. “BJP says you can’t eat fish, meat, or eggs; they don’t believe in any religion; they resort to riots; Adivasis are exploited, and women are attacked in BJP-ruled states,” she said during an election rally in Purulia.

Sensing concern among voters, the BJP mounted a counter-narrative by showing its leaders enjoying fish. BJP leaders like Suvendu Adhikari and Sukanta Majumdar were seen eating maach bhaat, underlining how fish has become a political flashpoint.

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