Amit Shah had lunch with Dalit family but got food prepared by a Brahmin cook: Mamata Banerjee

KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday called Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent visit to the state a "show off" and alleged that the lunch he had with a Dalit family during his visit was prepared by a Brahmin cook. She also claimed that the BJP leader garlanded a wrong statue thinking it was tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munde.

While speaking in Khatra area of tribal-dominated Banura district, Mamata Banerjee said, "Honourable Home Minister Amit Shah visited West Bengal a couple of days ago just for show off. He ate with a Dalit family here but made sure his food was brought from outside and cooked by a Brahmin."

“There were visuals that the Dalit family was cutting cabbage and coriander, but none of these was seen (on his plate). He had eaten Basmati rice, posta bora (poppy seed fritters),” she said, adding after having lunch he went away. “There was a child suffering from Thalassemia or some disease whom he didn’t meet”.

The West Bengal CM also took a dig at the Union Home Minister saying he garlanded a statue of a hunter, thinking it was of Birsa Munde. She then added that her party workers will ensure that Munde's statue is installed in Khatra.

"In fact, the state government will announce holiday on Birsa Munda’s anniversary from next year. It will be updated in the state’s holiday list," she said.

During a two-day visit to West Bengal earlier this month, Shah met the family in Chaturthi village of Bankura and had food with them on November 5.