“Didi’s (Mamata Banerjee’s) entire election campaign was built on lies and misleading propaganda. The people of the state did not buy her logic and beat her with a decisive verdict,” BJP MLA Dilip Ghosh said. File | Photo credit: PTI
Newly sworn-in West Bengal Chief Minister Dilip Ghosh attended the ‘Machhli Utsav’ (fish festival) here on Sunday (May 10, 2026) where he accused former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of weaving a false narrative about the BJP restricting consumption of fish and meat.
In the afternoon, he attended an event with Tapas Roy elected from BJP in Maniktala area of the metropolis.
Mr. Ghosh alleged that Ms. Banerjee “spread lies to mislead people and tried to create panic” in her campaign speeches ahead of the West Bengal elections.
“Didi’s (Mamata Banerjee) entire election campaign was built on lies and misleading propaganda. The people of the state did not buy her logic and gave her a decisive verdict,” Mr. Ghosh said in response to questions from reporters.
Mr. Roy, elected to the BJP from Maniktala, argued in his counter that the previous TMC regime had failed to develop the fish farming industry and Bengal had to rely on other states to meet the demand for fish, unlike in the past when it was self-sufficient in fish production.
The BJP government will make the state self-sufficient in fish production, claimed Mr. Roy.
On claims by Ms Banerjee and other TMC leaders that the BJP would impose a dictate on people’s eating habits if it comes to power, he said: “Have you seen anything like this since the poll results were out and then when the new government took over? Look at the fish markets everywhere.”
Mr. Ghosh also said that fish and rice are integrated with the culinary customs of Bengal and assured the people that the BJP government will continue to support the state’s food culture and traditions.
Festival organizers claimed around 2,000 people were invited to the feast on Sunday (May 10, 2026).
Published – 10 May 2026 19:08 IST
