look news india
News India Live, Digital Desk: Amidst the campaign for West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, politics has heated up on ‘Jhalmuri’. On Sunday (April 19, 2026), Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen eating Jhalmuri from a local vendor in Jhargram. But meanwhile, TMC made a serious allegation that due to this ‘unscheduled’ stop and photo-op of the Prime Minister, the helicopter of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife Kalpana Soren was not allowed to land in Jhargram.
1. What is the whole controversy?
TMC claimed on its official social media handle (X):
Refusal to land: Hemant Soren and Kalpana Soren were to reach Jhargram after holding public meetings in Dantan and Keshiari.
PM’s presence: When Soren’s chopper reached near Jhargram, PM Modi was present there and was eating Jhalmuri at a stall.
Hours of waiting: TMC says that the Chief Minister was made to wait in the air and ultimately was not allowed to land citing security reasons (PM’s presence in the vicinity), after which he had to return to Ranchi disappointed.
2. What is the VVIP City Visit Protocol?
Strict regarding security of Prime Minister and air traffic during his visit ‘Blue Book’ Rules apply:
No Fly Zone: A ‘no fly zone’ is declared for a certain time around the venue of the Prime Minister’s event. During this period, no other private or government aircraft/helicopter (even if it belongs to another Chief Minister) is allowed to land or take off.
Air Traffic Control (ATC): Due to security reasons, ATC puts all other flights on hold during the movement of the PM’s aircraft.
Change in time: TMC alleges that the PM extended his time to eat Jhalmuri, which also extended the ‘no fly zone’ period and affected Soren’s schedule.
3. TMC and JMM’s allegation: ‘Murder of democracy’
Allegation of discrimination: JMM termed this as ‘anti-tribal’ mentality and has written a letter to President Draupadi Murmu demanding intervention. He says that protocols are being misused to stop opposition star campaigners.
Electoral impact: The incident has taken an emotional tone in the tribal belt (Junglemahal) ahead of the April 23 and April 29 phases of Bengal elections.
4. BJP’s counterattack
BJP leaders have termed these allegations as baseless. He says that the security of the Prime Minister Special Protection Group (SPG) It is under the control of the police and any changes in security protocols are not in the hands of the local police or political party. The PM simply enjoyed the local culture, which is wrong to make it a subject of controversy.
