Of Hot Potatoes and Aloo Bhaja

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is not known to mince words — in any language. Nor is she inclined to steer clear of political hot potatoes. So, her statement after three days of meeting both opposition and government leaders in Delhi that “there is a difference between potatoes and potato chips” is uncharacteristically cryptic.

Her state accounts for 23% of India’s total potato production and a political confederate’s name even rhymes with it, so that could explain her alluding to the humble tuber. But some connotations of ‘aloo’ in colloquial Bangla are hardly complimentary — although julienned potato fries are a Bengali staple — and she should, therefore, be careful of what may be lost in translation. It is a mere coincidence, of course, that the potato chips brand of the Kolkata-headquartered ITC has had a bumper run this year, but the CM’s statement unfortunately implies avalue judgement when it comes to various forms of the vegetable.

All potatoes should be regarded as equal, no matter how they are sliced, diced or spiced, especially by politicians who want to apeel to the masses. If she implies one is better than the other, it begs the question of which she prefers. If, as some allege, she has a chip on her shoulder, she might fancy the latter, in which case she could be accused of promoting an unhealthy processed fast food.