On the last day of campaigning for the assembly elections in West Bengal, Anurag Thakur (BJP MP) and other party leaders were filmed enjoying 'maach bhaat' (fish and rice) to counter Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's assertions that the BJP would impose restrictions on fish consumption if elected. Thakur emphasized that the BJP has no such restrictions in any of the 16 states it governs, asserting that Banerjee's claims stem from her lack of achievements over 15 years in power. The BJP's efforts to connect with Bengali culture through fish-eating reflect its strategy to counter the narrative set by Banerjee, who warned voters about the potential for bans on fish and other foods under BJP rule. Opposition leaders, including AAP's Sanjeev Jha and Saurabh Bharadwaj, criticized Thakur for his actions, accusing him of hypocrisy and disrespecting cultural sentiments. TMC MP Mahua Moitra also mocked Thakur, suggesting that he could enjoy fish freely without fear of arrest. The political significance of fish in Bengal has become a focal point in this election, with both parties vying for voter support.