Kolkata, May 5, 2026 — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) marked its strong performance in the West Bengal assembly elections with a culturally distinctive celebration, replacing its traditional laddus with jhalmuri and filling its headquarters with Rabindra Sangeet.
The shift in tone follows a widely circulated campaign moment on April 29, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen buying jhalmuri after a rally in Jhargram. The incident quickly drew political attention. While Mamata Banerjee criticized the move, BJP leaders described it as a gesture of respect toward Bengali culture and everyday food habits.
In districts such as Bankura, Purulia, Birbhum, and Bardhaman, puffed rice is a staple, and party leaders believe the moment resonated with local voters. At the BJP’s Salt Lake headquarters, workers prepared and served jhalmuri mixed with chanachur to journalists and party leaders, creating a distinctly Bengali atmosphere.
Breaking with tradition, the BJP—known for celebrating victories with sweets like laddus—opted for local cuisine. The menu also included rice and fish curry, subtly countering claims by the All India Trinamool Congress during the campaign that BJP rule might threaten Bengal’s food culture, particularly its fish-based diet.
The cultural theme extended beyond food. While party workers danced outside to campaign songs such as “Poriborton Jatra” and “Chai BJP Sarkar,” the interior of the headquarters featured Rabindra Sangeet. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav reportedly requested the song “Mukt Koro Bhoy,” composed by Rabindranath Tagore.
The song’s message of overcoming fear echoed Modi’s campaign slogan, “Fear Out, Trust In.” By late morning, the BJP was leading in 165 assembly seats, signaling a significant electoral shift in the state.
The celebration underscored not only a political milestone but also a strategic effort by the BJP to connect more deeply with Bengal’s cultural identity.
