West Bengal's election campaign has taken a cultural turn, with food politics emerging as a fresh flashpoint between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In response, the TMC released a "welcome menu" featuring popular Bengali non-vegetarian dishes. The move was widely seen as a sarcastic political swipe.

The post, shared on X, quickly gained traction and sparked reactions across political circles. What appeared to be humour also highlighted a deeper political divide.

At the centre of the controversy is the debate over food practices, especially meat consumption. The TMC has accused the BJP of promoting ideas that could restrict non-vegetarian food habits. In Bengal, fish and meat are closely tied to culture and daily life.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised such suggestions at a recent rally. She referred to remarks linked to Bihar's deputy chief minister on restricting the open sale of fish and meat.

Banerjee said such ideas are anti-people and impractical. She questioned how small vendors could survive if forced to shift to malls or formal retail spaces.

She warned that thousands of livelihoods depend on open markets and could be affected.

The BJP has rejected the allegations. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said people in Bengal are free to eat what they want. He added that fish and meat will remain available.

Also read: 'Vote for me, I come with fish', BJP leader's seafood swipe at TMC goes viral

He clarified that the party's position is limited to opposing the open sale of beef. He dismissed the TMC's claims of broader restrictions as misleading.

With voting for the 294 Assembly seats scheduled in two phases on April 23 and April 29, the campaign is intensifying.

Political messaging is now expanding beyond governance to issues linked to culture and everyday life.

The debate over food is fast becoming a larger political narrative, touching on identity, economy, and personal choice in Bengal's high-stakes election battl