Rijiju slams Kejriwal for questioning PM Modi's popularity after Bengal win
Synopsis
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju hit back at Arvind Kejriwal for questioning PM Modi's popularity after BJP's Bengal win — a rebuke that comes just as Modi crossed 100 million Instagram followers, becoming the first sitting world leader to hit the milestone, and as his jhalmuri moment clocked over 100 million views in 24 hours.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday criticised AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal for doubting PM Modi's popularity after BJP's win in the West Bengal Assembly elections .
Kejriwal claimed the Bengal win came when the 'Modi Wave' was allegedly waning, citing BJP's performance of just 3 seats each in Delhi (2015) and Bengal (2016) .
PM Modi surpassed 100 million followers on Instagram , becoming the first serving world leader to reach the milestone.
Modi's jhalmuri snack break during campaigning in West Bengal on 19 April crossed 100 million views on Instagram within 24 hours and over 90 million views on Facebook Reels.
Google search interest for 'jhalmuri' reached its highest level in 22 years following Modi's viral snack moment, according to available internet data.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday sharply criticised Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal for casting doubt on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity and for refusing to attribute the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s sweeping victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections to the Prime Minister's mass appeal. The Union Minister also took a swipe at opposition parties for what he described as a hollow show of unity.
Rijiju's Broadside on Social Media
Taking to social media platform X, Rijiju wrote,
Point of View
But it sidesteps the ground-level organisational work and alliance arithmetic that also shape state election outcomes. Rijiju's counter, anchored in social media metrics, reflects the BJP's broader strategy of equating digital reach with political mandate — a conflation that does not always hold. The 100 million Instagram milestone is a communication achievement, not an electoral one, and conflating the two risks reducing a complex political landscape to a follower count. The more substantive question — whether the Bengal win signals a genuine shift in voter sentiment or a one-off — remains unanswered by either side.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kiren Rijiju criticise Arvind Kejriwal?
Rijiju criticised Kejriwal for publicly doubting PM Modi's popularity and for refusing to credit Modi for the BJP's victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections. He also called out opposition parties for what he described as a fake show of unity.
What did Arvind Kejriwal say about the BJP's Bengal win?
Kejriwal questioned how BJP managed to win in Delhi and Bengal when, according to him, Modi's popularity was at rock bottom — pointing out that BJP had won only 3 seats each in Delhi in 2015 and Bengal in 2016 at the height of the so-called 'Modi Wave'.
What is the significance of PM Modi crossing 100 million Instagram followers?
PM Modi became the first serving world leader and politician to cross 100 million followers on Instagram, a milestone he reached around the time of Kejriwal's remarks. He has maintained an active presence on the platform since joining in 2014.
What was the 'jhalmuri moment' and why did it go viral?
During election campaigning in West Bengal on 19 April, PM Modi stopped at a jhalmuri street stall, and videos of the interaction crossed 100 million views on Instagram within 24 hours and over 90 million views on Facebook Reels. Google search interest for 'jhalmuri' also hit a 22-year high, according to available internet data.
What is the broader political context of this exchange?
The BJP's win in West Bengal has become a flashpoint between the ruling party and the opposition, with AAP questioning the credibility of the result while BJP leaders cite it as evidence of Modi's enduring mass appeal ahead of future electoral contests.
