The political temperature in poll-bound West Bengal has surged as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Union Home Minister Amit Shah engaged in a fierce war of words over the state’s culinary habits, border security, and political sovereignty.

Fish production and the battle for the plate

On Thursday, addressing a public rally at Agarpara in North 24 Parganas, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claims that her government failed to achieve self-sufficiency in fish production. Banerjee accused the Prime Minister of misrepresenting facts, noting that while he praises Bihar’s production, dietary freedoms are restricted in BJP-ruled states. "I heard that today, he (PM) said that there is no fish production in Bengal, while Bihar is producing more and exporting. But you do not allow people to eat fish in Bihar. Here we purchase fish from markets and eat," the TMC supremo stated.

The Chief Minister further alleged that shops selling fish, meat, and eggs are being shut down in Rajasthan, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. She questioned the Centre's own exports, asking, "You (the Centre) export meat from here (Bengal). You export beef from here to Oman. If you are allergic to fish and meat, why do you do that?" Earlier, the Prime Minister, speaking in Haldia, had alleged that the TMC failed to meet high demand despite the state’s potential, promising that a BJP government would make Bengal self-sufficient in the seafood sector.

UCC and the 'son of Bengal' promise

On Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah countered these claims during the launch of the BJP’s 'Sankalp Patra'. Shah dismissed rumours of a potential ban on non-vegetarian food as TMC misinformation. When asked if a BJP government would ban fish and eggs, Shah retorted, "Why do you ask such a question?" He argued that welfare measures for fishermen and youth were not "freebies" but "medicine" for a state distressed by previous regimes.

Shah’s manifesto turned into a hard-edged ideological pitch, promising the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) within six months. He defended the UCC, stating it originated from the Constituent Assembly and ends "appeasement politics". Addressing the leadership question, Shah promised that the BJP's Chief Minister would be a "son of Bengal". "Bengal's chief minister will be someone born in Bengal, who speaks Bengali and is capable. If the state is run from Delhi, that is still better than being run from Bangladesh," he asserted. He also promised to include Kurmali and Rajbanshi languages in the Eighth Schedule.

Infiltration, central agencies, and the road to May 5

The slugfest extended to national security and administrative integrity. At a rally in Baguihati, Banerjee questioned why the Centre had not stopped infiltration if the borders are guarded by the BSF. She claimed the Centre told Parliament in 2025 that only 2,200 infiltrators were in the country, despite BJP leaders claiming millions. "What is the BSF doing? What is your Home Minister Amit Shah doing? Why don't you ask for resignation of Amit Shah for that?" she asked. Banerjee also accused the Centre of unleashing the ED and CBI on opponents and warned of a Delimitation Bill designed to divide Bengal into three parts.

Amit Shah, however, maintained that the BJP would expel all infiltrators while giving citizenship to refugees once in power. He predicted a transition of power by May 5, establishing "Ram Rajya" or good governance. While Banerjee cautioned that the BJP might attempt to influence counting on December 4, Shah expressed confidence in a full majority, urging voters to participate without fear following judicial and Election Commission oversight of issues like the Malda violence. Banerjee concluded her rallies by warning citizens against BJP agents seeking bank details for pre-poll malpractices and urging supporters to guard against stampede-like situations during her roadshows.