Kolkata, 09 April (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks on fish production in the state, accusing him of misrepresenting facts and ignoring ground realities.

Addressing a public rally at Agarpara in North 24 Parganas district, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief alleged that people in BJP-ruled states are not allowed the freedom to consume non-vegetarian food.

“I heard that today the Prime Minister said Bengal does not produce fish and that Bihar produces more and exports it. But in Bihar people are not allowed to eat fish. Here, we buy fish from the markets and consume it,” Banerjee said.

She added that West Bengal earlier imported fish from Andhra Pradesh but has since reduced such dependence, and advised the Prime Minister to stay updated about these developments.

Accusing the BJP of influencing the Prime Minister’s statements, she said, “You are repeating what your party leaders are telling you. In Rajasthan, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, people are not allowed to eat fish, eggs and meat, and shops selling these items are being shut.”

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi, while addressing a rally in Haldia, had alleged that the TMC government failed to increase fish production to meet the state’s demand and had not taken adequate steps in the past 15 years to make Bengal self-sufficient in the fisheries sector. He also said that the BJP would work towards achieving self-sufficiency in fisheries if voted to power in the state.

Responding to the remarks, Banerjee said, “The Centre exports meat from here. We export beef from Bengal to Oman. Fish is produced in our ponds and is available in every market. People here are free to eat what they choose and we do not interfere in their food habits.”

The Chief Minister also alleged that more than 9 million names were deleted from the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision exercise to help the BJP gain political advantage. She, however, expressed confidence that the TMC would win the upcoming Assembly elections.

At another rally in Minakhan, she said her party would approach the court to ensure that the deleted voters are reinstated in the electoral rolls.

Calling the election a “fight for the survival of Bengal and the rights of its people”, she urged voters to remain alert and actively participate in the democratic process.

Banerjee further alleged that Bengali-speaking people face harassment in BJP-ruled states and claimed that the language is being termed as foreign while its speakers are being labelled as infiltrators.

At a separate rally in Palta, she accused the BJP of paying Rs 500 to people to attend its political meetings and claimed that the party’s decline would begin from August 2026, without elaborating.

She also alleged that the BJP was attempting to use the proposed delimitation exercise to divide Bengal into three parts. Without naming Union Home Minister Amit Shah, she referred to him as “Mota Bhai” and accused central probe agencies of being used to intimidate political opponents.

Banerjee reiterated that the TMC would continue both political and legal efforts to safeguard voters’ rights and ensure the integrity of the electoral process in West Bengal.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh