Overview
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadside jhalmuri stop in Jhargram, captured Sunday after a rally, showed him paying ₹10 and sharing the snack as he posted photos and video on X and Instagram.
- The clip drew roughly 100 million views on Instagram with similar counts reported on Facebook, and Google searches for “jhalmuri” hit record highs according to multiple outlets.
- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the moment “drama” and alleged it was staged with pre-set cameras and SPG planning, while the Trinamool Congress claimed Hemant Soren’s helicopter was denied landing during the PM’s presence, a charge not independently verified in the reports.
- The vendor, identified as Vikram Sah/Shaw from Bihar’s Gaya district, said he was thrilled to serve the Prime Minister, and his stall has since faced heavy crowds, selfie-seekers, and media that disrupted normal business.
- The stop came during a BJP push in the tribal-dominated Jangalmahal belt, with Modi attacking the TMC at rallies, as West Bengal heads to assembly polls on April 23 and 29 with counting on May 4.