Kolkata, May 10: Following the historic victory of the BJP in West Bengal and the formation of a new government, a ‘Fishing Festival’ was held in Kolkata on Sunday. Newly appointed minister and BJP MLA Dilip Ghosh, along with fellow BJP MLA Tapas Roy, attended the event as chief guests.
Minister Dilip Ghosh expressed his passion for fishing, stating, “I enjoy fishing as much as I enjoy eating fish. We will ensure that fish and rice produced in Bengal are made available to the people of Bengal.”
During a media interaction, Ghosh mentioned a ‘Machh-Bhat’ (fish and rice) program, criticizing former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her remarks suggesting that Bengali people would not be allowed to eat fish and rice. He pointed out that while Bengal is the largest consumer of fish, local production is insufficient, leading to reliance on fish imports from states like Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. “I visited Siliguri and witnessed this firsthand. If the people of Bengal eat fish, why is it not produced here? If people consume rice, it is produced here. In 15 years of governance, they have failed to ensure that the people of Bengal receive fish from Bengal,” he added.
On social media platform X, Ghosh reiterated, “I enjoy fishing as much as I enjoy eating fish.” He highlighted a celebration in North Kolkata, where a festival was organized to celebrate the BJP’s victory with fish and rice served on plates. “The people of this state will now be able to consume more fish because production will increase, and with rising incomes, their purchasing power will also grow,” he stated.
He also criticized the Trinamool Congress (TMC), stating that until now, only TMC leaders could afford to eat good and expensive fish with public funds. “With the end of extortion and ‘cut-money’ practices, public money will return to the people, allowing everyone to enjoy quality fish,” he remarked.
Newly elected BJP MLA Tapas Roy questioned Mamata Banerjee about the high demand for fish in West Bengal and what actions she has taken to address it, stating, “Nothing. If fish and eggs from BJP-ruled states do not come, we cannot consume them. Additionally, there are no jobs or employment opportunities. The BJP government will work swiftly to create jobs.”
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DKM/ABM
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.