In a celebratory yet pointed gesture, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Haryana unit marked their triumphant third consecutive Assembly election win by sending a kilogram of jalebis to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s office in Delhi. This act was not merely celebratory but served as a satirical response to Gandhi’s recent remarks about Haryana’s famous Gohana jalebis.
The BJP announced on X (formerly Twitter) that “On behalf of all the workers of Bhartiya Janta Party (in) Haryana, jalebis have been sent to Rahul Gandhi’s home,” accompanied by a screenshot from a food delivery service confirming the order destined for the Congress headquarters at 24, Akbar Road, Delhi.
Why Jalebis?
The choice of jalebis as a medium for this political jab stems from Rahul Gandhi’s campaign speech where he criticized the mass production and export of Gohana jalebis. He alleged that the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by the central government had adversely affected local jalebi vendors, impacting their livelihoods and revenue generation.
Rahul Gandhi’s comments did not sit well with BJP leaders, who quickly took to social media to mock his understanding of the confectionery’s production and sale. Ex-Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad remarked, “I also like Gohana jalebi… but one has to understand how they are made and are sold,” further asserting that Gandhi “does not do his homework properly.”
The use of jalebis in political discourse is not new for the BJP. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referenced the sweet during his campaign ahead of the general elections. Modi likened the opposition INDIA bloc’s proposal to rotate the Prime Minister’s position annually to “Matu Ram ki jalebi,” suggesting it was an unsubstantiated and whimsical idea. The Gohana jalebis, originating in 1958 from businessman Matu Ram, have since become a local staple, now run by his grandsons.
Political Implications
This latest exchange underscores the BJP’s strategy of leveraging local cultural symbols to critique political opponents. By sending jalebis to Rahul Gandhi, the BJP not only celebrates its electoral success but also underscores its stance on the issues raised by the Congress leader, reinforcing their narrative of being more in tune with local business challenges.
As the political landscape continues to evolve post-elections, such symbolic gestures highlight the ongoing rivalry between the BJP and Congress, each striving to assert their influence and respond to their opponents’ criticisms through both policy and pointed commentary.
