West Bengal Politics: BJP Faces Food And Cultural Debate As TMC, Congress And Left Remain Divided

West Bengal’s political landscape has undergone a major transformation since the 2026 Assembly election, with the BJP emerging as the ruling party and the Trinamool Congress facing an internal split. The Congress and Left, meanwhile, continue to struggle to build a strong organisational challenge.

But in the face of the BJP's political ascendancy, a different sort of debate has taken hold in the state that is focused on food habits, Durga Puja practices and the role of Hindu religious institutions in influencing cultural practices is mounting.

A big shift in the political scenario has taken place in West Bengal since the Assembly polls in 2026. The BJP has become the ruling party, and the Trinamool Congress has split internally. Meanwhile, the Congress and the Left are still grappling with the task of developing a solid organisational challenge.

BJP’s Dominance After The 2026 Election

The report analysis last year's Assembly result in West Bengal showed that the BJP secured 208 seats in the 294-seat Assembly from the 2026 election while the Trinamool Congress reduced up to 80 seats.

The TMC subsequently faced an internal leadership dispute involving a faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee and the camp headed by Mamata Banerjee. The dispute began inside the state legislature and later expanded to questions over the party’s identity and representation.

20 of the TMC’s 28 elected MPs also announced a merger with the Tripura-based Nationalist Citizens Party of India and extended support to the NDA, further complicating the political situation described in the report.

The developments have left the opposition divided while the BJP settles into government.

A New Flashpoint Over Food And Durga Puja

The political debate has increasingly intersected with questions about Bengal’s distinctive food culture.

The controversy gained momentum after the BJP government announced that midday meals in Kolkata Municipal Corporation-area schools would be prepared by ISKCON and would be vegetarian. Following criticism, the state government subsequently announced that eggs would be provided to students twice a week through a separate scheme.

The controversy over this matter intensified prior to Durga Puja when the VHP had asked puja organisers not to allow sale or consumption of non-vegetarian food around the puja pandals. The organisation highlighted its worry about the sanctity and cleanliness of the area around the deity rather than a statewide vegetarian diet.

Dhirendra Shastri’s Remarks Trigger Backlash

The controversy got further heated up when Bageshwar Dham's head Dhirendra Krishna Shastri called upon Bengalis not to eat non-vegetarian items during Navratri, around Durga idols. He was criticised by some political party leaders and civil society groups for his remarks.

Shastri also used the term 'pakhandi' while referring to people who consume non-vegetarian food during Navratri, according to contemporaneous reports. The remarks prompted criticism from opposition leaders as well as some BJP figures.

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya subsequently rejected the idea that anyone should dictate what Bengalis eat, saying food choices were a matter of personal freedom.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also sought to distinguish between different Hindu traditions. During a visit to Kolkata’s Kalighat temple, he was seen consuming traditional fish bhog and said people could decide whether or not to follow Shastri’s appeal.

Why Food Has Become A Cultural Issue

Fish and meat have been an integral part of Bengali food for long and are also linked with certain religions in Bengal.

The debate therefore extends beyond individual dietary preferences to questions surrounding regional identity and the way religious festivals are observed.

The reports from media analysis argues that the VHP and Shastri’s comments have created unease because many people may perceive religious organisations and the BJP as part of the same broader political-cultural ecosystem, even though BJP leaders have publicly distanced themselves from calls to restrict personal food choices.

The CPI(M), meanwhile, has criticised the VHP’s intervention, accusing the organisation of attempting to influence how Durga Puja is celebrated in Bengal.

BJP’s Political Position And The Emerging Debate

The controversy comes at a time when BJP faces a fragmented opposition in West Bengal. The TMC is dealing with an internal organisational dispute, while the Congress and Left have limited electoral and organisational strength compared with the ruling party, according to the sources.

At the same time, the new government has faced criticism over several issues, including changes to Durga Puja arrangements, hawker evictions and welfare-related concerns. The government has also introduced new rules for this year’s celebrations, including restrictions on liquor sales on Maha Ashtami and DJ music during immersion processions.

The food controversy has consequently become part of a wider discussion about governance, religion, cultural identity and the evolving political landscape in Bengal.

While the BJP currently faces no comparably strong opposition force, the debate over Durga Puja and food practices has highlighted the cultural sensitivities that remain significant in the state’s political discourse.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

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Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

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