A video of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee trying her hand at making phuckhas (golgappas) during her visit to Darjeeling in north Bengal went viral on Tuesday. The video, tweeted by TMC, shows Mamata Banerjee making the golgappas and serving it to children and bystanders who thronged the roadside stall.
In the video, several children are seen standing in queue with disposable bowls in their hand, waiting for their turn to enjoy the popular street food. Banerjee is in the hill station for three days to attend the swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) members.
"Our chairperson Mamata Banerjee visited SHG operated food stall, Sunday Haat in Darjeeling. Showing her appreciation for the women's hard work, she joined them in the preparation of Bengal's favorite, puchkas and also fed enthusiastic children the delectable snack," TMC tweeted along with the video.
During her visit to Darjeeling in March, Mamata Banerjee surprised locals when she took over a momo stall. In the video, Mamata Banerjee, who has displayed her culinary skills on several occassions in the past, can be seen preparing the dough and then wrapping it with fillings.
The videos and images on social media saw several "Momo with Mamata" comments from users, reminiscent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Chai pe Charcha" initiative aimed at connecting with voters ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha election.
Meanwhile, addressing a gathering in Darjeeling on Tuesday, Mamata said she hoped that peace and stability would remain in the hills following the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration elections after a decade.
"We want development and prosperity for the hills. We don't want violence and disturbance. Please don't allow the peace and stability of the hills to get disturbed," PTI quoted Banerjee as saying.
"If few leaders try to instigate violence, don't allow them to do so. If peace and stability remains in the hills, the economy of the hills will also get a boost," she said.
The TMC supremo also announced a slew of development projects for the hills, saying she was "not here to capture the hills, but to win the hearts of the people".
The nine-month-old Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) emerged as the largest party in the elections to the GTA, winning 27 out of 45 seats, PTI reported.