Kolkata, Apr 2 (PTI) The TMC on Thursday sought to turn Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement that he would spend 15 days in West Bengal during the assembly election campaign into a culinary jibe, advising him to use the opportunity to enjoy the state’s signature dishes.

In a post on X soon after Shah declared that he would remain in the state for a fortnight during the campaign, the ruling party said Bengal “welcomes tourists with open arms”, while dismissing his visit as little more than political tourism.

“@AmitShah has announced his decision to spend 15 days in Bengal. Good. Bengal welcomes tourists with open arms. Stay for as long as you like. And do not miss out on some of our finest delicacies. We highly recommend: Muri Ghonto, Pabda Macher Jhal, Ilish Bhapa, Chingri Malai Curry, Bhetki Paturi, Kosha Mangsho. Have a pleasant stay!” the AITC said.

The swipe came hours after Shah turned BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s nomination filing from Bhabanipur into a high-voltage political show of strength, and declared that defeating Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her own constituency would be the “shortcut” to ushering in “paribartan” (change) in Bengal.

Addressing BJP supporters at Hazra crossing before accompanying Adhikari to file his nomination papers, Shah said he would stay in Bengal for 15 days during the election campaign, underlining the importance the central leadership is attaching to the state.

“I will remain in West Bengal for 15 days during the election. There will be many opportunities to speak to you. Today, I have come for the nomination of our candidates, especially Suvendu Adhikari,” Shah had said.

The TMC’s response instantly triggered a fresh round of political sparring online, with party leaders sharing pictures of traditional Bengali dishes and mocking Shah’s extended stay in the state.

The episode also brought into focus an unusual but increasingly visible undercurrent in this election season – the politics of food.

While the BJP has repeatedly sought to pitch itself as the protector of Hindu sentiment and cultural identity in Bengal, the TMC has countered it by foregrounding Bengali linguistic and cultural pride, often using food as a political metaphor.

For the TMC, fish and meat dishes such as ‘ilish’, ‘pabda’, ‘chingri’ and ‘kosha mangsho’ are not merely items on a menu, but symbols of an inclusive Bengali identity that cuts across religion and caste.

Party leaders have increasingly invoked what they describe as Bengal’s “food culture” in response to alleged attempts by the BJP to impose a more homogenised, north Indian and vegetarian cultural template on the state.

The BJP has rejected the charge, insisting that it has no objection to Bengal’s culinary tradition, and accused the TMC of trying to trivialise serious political issues.

Elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases – on April 23 and April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4. PTI PNT RBT