Archive · 20 Aug 2026
BJP Chief Nabin’s Andhra Meal Sparks Sawan Food Row
BJP president Nitin Nabin posted a video of himself eating with party workers in Andhra Pradesh.
Opposition parties said one dish in the video looked like meat and questioned whether he followed Sawan food customs.
BJP leaders denied this.
They said everyone at the meal was served vegetarian food.
The BJP said the dish that caused confusion was spicy jackfruit curry.
It also listed dishes such as paneer curry, soya chunks curry and vegetable preparations.
BJP leaders accused the opposition of spreading false information and asked for proof or an apology.
The disagreement became another political argument about food and religious traditions during Sawan.
Opposition parties accused BJP president Nitin Nabin of eating non-vegetarian food during Sawan.
The controversy followed Nabin’s August 18, 2026, video of lunch with BJP workers in Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh BJP chief P.V.N. Madhav said only vegetarian food was served during the visit.
The BJP identified the disputed dish as spicy jackfruit curry and listed several other vegetarian dishes.
The BJP demanded that opposition parties provide proof or apologise for what it called misinformation.
- Who
- BJP president Nitin Nabin, BJP leaders and workers, and opposition representatives from the Congress and Samajwadi Party.
- What
- A political dispute over whether Nabin’s Andhra Pradesh meal included non-vegetarian food or only vegetarian dishes.
- When
- The video was posted on August 18, 2026, during the Hindu holy month of Sawan; the BJP response was reported on Thursday.
- Where
- Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- Opposition parties questioned whether the meal followed Sawan-related dietary expectations, while the BJP said the allegations were false and based on a misunderstanding of South Indian cuisine.
Opposition allegations
BJP response
What was served
Opposition allegations
The Congress and Samajwadi Party said the video appeared to show Nabin eating non-vegetarian food.
BJP response
The BJP said the meal was entirely vegetarian and that the disputed dish was spicy jackfruit curry.
Conduct during Sawan
Opposition allegations
Opposition parties questioned whether eating meat during Sawan was consistent with the BJP’s stated emphasis on Indian culture and traditions.
BJP response
The BJP said the meal was planned with Sawan customs in mind, particularly after Nabin visited the Simhachalam temple.
Political motive
Opposition allegations
The opposition presented the video as evidence of a gap between the BJP’s cultural messaging and its leaders’ conduct.
BJP response
The BJP called the allegations misinformation, said regional vegetarian dishes had been misunderstood, and accused the opposition of seeking political gain.
- BJP president
- Nitin Nabin
- Meal description
- Nabin described the lunch as authentic Andhra cuisine shared with BJP workers.
- BJP account
- The BJP said only vegetarian food was served to leaders and party workers.
- Disputed dish
- The Chhattisgarh BJP identified it as traditional spicy jackfruit curry from the Uttarandhra region.
- Other dishes listed
- The BJP cited paneer curry, munjakala pulusu, dondakai palli fry, soya chunks curry, panasamukkalu masala curry and pesara ponukulu.
- Opposition allegation
- The Congress and Samajwadi Party alleged that Nabin had consumed meat during Sawan.
- BJP demand
- The BJP asked opposition parties to provide evidence or issue a public apology.
