Mamata’s offer to cook food for PM Modi stirs controversy

The BJP has termed it a “political agenda” after West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee offered to “cook food” for PM Modi.

Besdies, CPI(M) has named it an “understanding” between the TMC and the saffron party.

The TMC chief, Mamata Banerjee, taking a jibe at PM Modi for his recent allegation that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav last month had fish during a period when some Hindus abstain from having non-vegetarian food, said that she was ready to “cook something for him (Modi)” if he wanted, though she was not sure whether he would eat what she cooked. Banerjee, at an election rally here, had made the remarks while taking a dig at the BJP for allegedly interfering with the food habits of the people and had said she would be happy to cook food for Modi but is not sure “whether the PM will be ready to savour my cooked meal.”

“I have been cooking since my childhood days. People have praised my cooking. But will Modi ji accept my food? Will he trust me? I will cook whatever he loves,” she had said.

The TMC supremo had said, “I love both vegetarian foods like Dhokla and non-veg foods like macher jhol (fish curry). Different communities, and different sects among Hindus have their own unique rituals and eating habits. Who is BJP to impose a diktat on an individual’s dietary habits? It shows the BJP leadership has little idea and concern about the diversity and inclusivity of India and its people.”

Soon after the statement by Banerjee, the remark drew sharp reactions from the saffron party leaders.

“Mamata Banerjee wants to feed Modi ji with fish and rice cooked by her. Good proposal. But before that, why doesn’t she first offer pork chop to her lieutenant Firhad Hakim? It will serve three purposes, secularism will be asserted, it will show charity begins at home and the fritters will also be praised,” former BJP state president and ex-Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy posted on X.

BJP leader Sankudeb Panda claimed Banerjee had purposedly invited Modi, knowing well that he is a strict vegetarian.

“This is nothing but her ploy to trap the PM. She knows on the one hand the PM will never eat fish or any non-veg item. If she believes everyone should be allowed to eat what he/she loves to eat, then why is she twisting Modiji’s comments about one’s dietary habits? She is insulting devout Sanatani Hindus,” he added.

TMC said that the party’s chief said she spoke about the unique religious and cultural diversity of India and the theme of “unity in diversity”.