Fish-and-Rice Politics becomes the centre of attention in the West Bengal Assembly as BJP serves traditional Bengali meals during the swearing-in ceremony to counter opposition claims over Bengali culture and food habits.
Shubhendu Adhikari Retains Bhabanipur Seat, Nandigram Set for High-Voltage By-Election
By Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata | May 13, 2026
Fish-and-Rice Politics took centre stage in the West Bengal Assembly on Wednesday as BJP leaders used the swearing-in ceremony to send a strong cultural message across the state. Newly elected BJP MLAs were served traditional Bengali fish-and-rice meals during lunch arrangements overseen by Protem Speaker Tapas Roy. Through this symbolic gesture, the party attempted to reinforce its connection with Bengali identity and counter long-standing allegations by the Trinamool Congress that the BJP is against Bengal’s food culture and traditions.
On Wednesday, Shubhendu Adhikari took oath as the MLA from Bhabanipur during the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected legislators at the West Bengal Assembly. The oath was administered by Protem Speaker Tapas Roy. As per constitutional norms, an elected representative cannot hold two Assembly seats simultaneously, making it mandatory for Adhikari to vacate one constituency.
Nandigram By-Election Likely to Trigger Political Battle
With Nandigram now set for a by-election, political circles across Bengal have shifted focus to the BJP’s possible candidate for the prestigious constituency. Party insiders indicate that Meghnad Pal, BJP’s district general secretary and a close associate of Shubhendu Adhikari, is emerging as a strong contender. However, the ruling party has not yet made any formal announcement regarding the candidature.
Nandigram carries immense political significance in West Bengal politics. Shubhendu Adhikari has represented the constituency since 2016. He first won the seat as a Trinamool Congress candidate before switching to the BJP ahead of the 2021 Assembly election. In 2021, he gained national attention after defeating Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram, earning the tag of a “giant killer.”
In the 2026 election, Adhikari once again contested from Nandigram while simultaneously challenging Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur. He secured victory in Nandigram by a margin of 9,665 votes and also defeated Banerjee in Bhabanipur, creating one of the biggest political upsets in the state.
BJP Pushes Bengali Identity with Fish-and-Rice Politics
The Assembly swearing-in ceremony also witnessed a strong display of Bengali cultural symbolism. BJP legislators attending the event were served a traditional Bengali lunch featuring fish and rice, arranged under the initiative of Protem Speaker Tapas Roy.
Interestingly, this was not the first such arrangement by the BJP after the election results. On May 4, immediately after the declaration of results, party workers and leaders at the BJP’s Salt Lake state headquarters were also treated to fish-and-rice meals.
The repeated emphasis on traditional Bengali cuisine appears to be part of the BJP’s broader strategy to counter allegations made by the Trinamool Congress during the election campaign. Mamata Banerjee had repeatedly claimed that if the BJP came to power in Bengal, Bengali culture and food habits would come under threat, including restrictions on fish and meat consumption.
To dismiss those accusations, BJP leaders consistently highlighted Bengali traditions throughout the campaign. Several BJP candidates were seen participating in public outreach programs involving fish markets and local Bengali food culture. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also referred to Bengali cuisine during campaign rallies.
By continuing the fish-and-rice tradition even inside the Assembly premises, the BJP seems eager to project itself as a party aligned with Bengal’s cultural identity rather than opposed to it.
