Fish emerge as surprise issue in West Bengal election campaign

In West Bengal, where fish is more than just food — it's an emotion — the humble catch has swum into the middle of high-stakes electioneering. With state assembly polls around the corner, political parties are dangling promises of cheap, abundant fish to hook voters.

From roadside stalls to party manifestos, the price of 'ilish' (hilsa) and 'rohu' has become a talking point. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are both trying to net the fish-loving electorate.

Why fish matters in Bengal politics

Bengal's love affair with fish is legendary. The average Bengali household spends a significant chunk of its monthly budget on freshwater fish. Hilsa, the region's most prized catch, can cost upwards of Rs 1,500 per kilogram during lean seasons.

For years, the TMC government has controlled the supply chain through the West Bengal State Fisheries Corporation. But recent price spikes — blamed on reduced river catch, high transport costs, and alleged hoarding — have angered consumers.

Opposition leaders have seized on the issue. The BJP's state unit claims the TMC's 'fish mafia' is squeezing the common man. The Left Front and Congress have also made fish prices a plank of their campaign, promising to break what they call the ruling party's monopoly.

Promises on the plate

The TMC is fighting back. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced plans to boost fish production through new hatcheries and subsidies for pond owners. Her government says it will import hilsa from Bangladesh to stabilise prices.

The BJP, in its manifesto, has promised to create a 'Fish Farmers' Commission' and ensure that affordable fish reaches every household. Party leaders have been photographed distributing fish in markets, a move aimed at showing empathy with voters' daily struggles.

Analysts say the fish factor could swing votes in coastal and riverine districts, where fishing communities form a sizeable chunk of the electorate. In North and South 24 Parganas, as well as in East Midnapore, the issue resonates deeply.

Local fishermen feel the pinch

Small-scale fishermen say they are caught between rising diesel costs and falling catches. Many have stopped going to sea altogether. Political promises sound good, but they want practical solutions — better cold storage, easier loans, and protection from big trawlers.

"Politicians come during elections, promise us the moon, and then forget us," said a fisherman in Diamond Harbour, who did not want to be named. "We want fish to be cheap for buyers, but we also need to earn a living."

The issue has also sparked a war of words online. Social media is flooded with memes comparing fish prices to political corruption. One viral post showed a fish skeleton with the caption: "TMC's promise of development — only bones left."

What lies ahead

As campaigning heats up, fish is likely to remain a hot-button issue. Both parties will continue to use it as a symbol of governance — or failure thereof. Whether it translates into votes depends on how many empty stomachs get filled before polling day.

For now, the battle for Bengal's plate is as fierce as any on the ground. The next few weeks will show if fish can indeed hook enough voters to tip the scales.