Only weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the Bengali snack “jhalmuri” famous throughout the nation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is now utilizing it as a sign of celebration, as early trends in the Assembly elections reveal the party gaining ground.

After PM Modi’s popular roadside halt in Jhargram, where he was seen relishing the dish, ‘Jhalmuri’ had become an unexpected high point throughout the last leg of the campaign. The incident spread like wildfire, eliciting political responses, such as criticism from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who called it a BJP-orchestrated event.

The campaign quickly adopted the moniker of the snack, which is derived from the Bengali term “jhal,” which means hot or spicy, as a metaphor for both the ferocity of the political battle and regional identity. At an election rally later, PM Modi himself injected a political slant, saying, “I ate jhalmuri, but TMC felt the jhal (spice). ”

The BJP continued to hold a strong lead as vote counting advanced. According to Election Commission of India trends from 3:45 p. m. , the party was ahead in 194 seats, while the Trinamool Congress was ahead in 89. The Trinamool Congress had won one seat, and the BJP had already won three.

As the party maintained a commanding lead, leaders and members embraced the ‘jhal’ symbolism, sharing the treat with people all over the nation.

“Jalebi won’t do — only Jhalmuri will suffice,” Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said while posting photographs of himself enjoying jhalmuri. If anyone experiences the ‘jhal’ (spice) in my Jhalmuri today, please don’t be offended; I’m enjoying it wholeheartedly.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, congratulations and best wishes on Bengal’s triumph. Your leadership and Amit Shah’s exceptional efforts are responsible for this triumph. He continued, “To every NDA worker in Bengal, I send my best wishes for the victory. ”

The day was “historic,” according to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena head Eknath Shinde, who claimed that the BJP’s “lotus” had blossomed in Bengal.

“The BJP, led by the country’s beloved and renowned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has dealt Mamata Didi a taste of defeat—a sour ‘Jhalmuri’ of failure. Tired of hooliganism and corruption, the people of West Bengal have founded democracy in its truest meaning. They have voted for stability, peace, development, and progress, he stated.

He also mentioned that the BJP’s “victory” in Syama Prasad Mookerjee‘s birthplace during the centennial year of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was “historic”.

Referring to him as the BJP’s ‘Chanakya’, Shinde also praised Home Minister Amit Shah‘s “decade-long tireless effort” in “dismantling” the Trinamool Congress stronghold.

“Every BJP worker battled this oppression with unwavering resolve. The BJP’s committed workers are also deserving of praise for this reason. Throughout this election, Mamata Didi criticized Modi Ji, Amit Bhai, and the BJP at a very poor level. With the vote, the public has given this criticism a resounding response, he said.

“The BJP administration will now respond to that criticism with the complete development of West Bengal. West Bengal is entering a new age of growth under the leadership of the BJP. The development ‘Bullet Train’ is certain to accelerate in West Bengal because of the ‘Double Engine’ administration, he said.

In Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and her cabinet colleagues also celebrated the event by sharing jhalmuri and rasgulla at the Delhi Secretariat.

“Under the leadership of the esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, every state in the country is turning saffron,” Gupta stated in a tweet.

With Assam’s hat-trick win, the BJP administration has also taken control in Bengal. A resounding victory deserves our warmest congratulations! The victory was celebrated by serving ‘jhalmuri’ and ‘rasgulla’.

As counting trends continued to favor the party, BJP activists throughout the nation were observed cheering on the streets, waving party flags, and handing out jhalmuri.

Hema Malini said on her official Instagram account that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah should be credited for successfully shifting the state in their favor. The euphoria is still subsiding! Delighted by the BJP’s victory in Bengal, it has at last paid off all the preparation and effort put in by Modi ji and Amit Shah ji! Proud to have contributed, albeit in a little way, to the strenuous campaign that resulted in the BJP’s overwhelming victory over the TMC.

She continued by saying, “My sincere congratulations to all the winners of this historic election. ”

Rupali Ganguly, a television actress, also tweeted, “Bengal chose democracy over fear. ” We appreciate our courageous CRPF troops for making sure that voting was conducted peacefully despite all obstacles. Jai CRPF“