'How Puffed Rice and Egg Curry shaped TMC's July 21 menu'

On Thursday, TMC held its annual 'Shahid Diwas' rally, a legacy of the leader for almost 30 years. Apart from every other stately agenda, this rather uncanny digestive duo graduated to compelling mass symbolism, way above routine middle class compulsion.

But first, a quick refresher on this annual ritual of choking Calcutta, albeit suspended for two years due to the virus. On this very date in 1993, when Mamata Banerjee was a firebrand Youth Congress leader, a protest march was organised to press for photographic Voter ID cards, to thwart wicked imposters. In a terrifying twist of events, thirteen agitators lost their lives to police firing, and while the jury is still out on the intent and extent of provocation, the  tragedy is certainly undeniable. As the leader formed TMC, the protest changed banners while continually enhancing its scale and intensity.

Yesterday, it was a miniature of the Delhi Durbar of 1911, with loyalists demonstrating colorful diversity as they appeared from every corner of the state. Their wide eyed awe for Mamata Banerjee was plainly apparent, as they hungrily awaited the forty minute live encounter with their superhero. In due deference, the bandobast was nothing short of Olympian, as the entire machinery was applied with sincere precision, mass boarding and lodging being conjured with industrial efficacy.

Which is exactly where the egg curry played its magical, almost ethereal role as a symbol of affiliation. Often considered as an entry level 'non veg' ( arguably faux) in these fishy climes, it does stand for unshakeable integrity when served en masse. It is Himalayan in terms of indulgent intent, while being rooted to monetary restraint, gingerly kosher to a considerable section of vegetarians as well.

In a nutshell, or rather eggshell, it combines effusive sincerity with democratic camaraderie, as unlike fish and meat, all eggs are born equal with zero conflicts on leg pieces and breast pieces. TV channels went berserk showing frenzied consumption of such curries in tandem with rice and veggies, as TMC cadres relished their common culinary agenda, quite a metaphor for their seemingly deep fried political unity.

But the puffed rice, muri or murmura as is affectionately addressed, became the centre stage hero, as a dramatic representation of GST insensitivity. Incidentally, the latest round includes this great leveller, attractive to both workers and employers for differing reasons - as a default main meal, sustenance tiffin or a timeless indulgence, when blended with tangy goodies. The lady insisted that muri must be served to every visitor from Delhi, whether enforcement or leisure, as a crunchy symbol of protest, for taxing such a fundamental lifeline.

Truth be told, most muri sold in West Bengal must be loose and not packed, thus not privy to the imposition, but the mnemonic value of this item is phenomenal. It debuted,  on Thursday, as an opening batsman for the electoral tussle against BJP and if smartly extended, can gain offline virality in the districts. Far too much of pop culture depicts the dire, lifeless facade of puffed rice as an inevitability of rotten destiny, filling the tummy with sufficient energy to perform the next chore, and then the next.

In the frenzy of monologues and claims, the puffed rice and egg curry did emerge as unlikely integrators of the TMC mommentum. The former as ammunition against the designated foes, while the latter as fuel for cementing complicated relationships. Whether this awesome twosome will turn out to be a magic potion, only time will tell.