Panchayat Minister Dilip Ghosh turned heads on Thursday morning when he was spotted riding a luxury superbike without a helmet outside Eco Park in New Town.

Cruising down the road with a pillion behind him, the senior BJP leader stopped to share his excitement, simply stating, “It was amazing”.

Taking to his X handle, the minister shared his firsthand experience of the high-end ride: “Today, I rode a Honda BigWing superbike. It is a high-speed 1800cc, 6-cylinder motorcycle. The bike is extremely comfortable and offers incredible speed. There is ample space at the back with a sofa-like passenger seat, ensuring that the pillion rider can also sit very comfortably.”

Never one to miss a political beat, Ghosh linked his premium ride to urban development. He said that Kolkata’s roads and footpaths, which faced heavy encroachment for years, making them narrow and completely unsuitable for heavyweight superbikes, are now ready for superbikes.

“With the BJP government now clearing roads and footpaths from encroachments, the younger generation will no longer face difficulties in riding these motorcycles,” he posted.

He added that just as the new government is functioning at a rapid pace, the “speed of the city” and the efficiency of people’s daily lives will also see a massive upgrade.

As expected, the video of the minister’s bike ride went viral almost instantly, racking up thousands of views, likes, and comments across social media platforms. Impressed by his confident riding style, a section of internet users dubbed him ‘Dabangg Dilip’.

However, the viral moment also brought its fair share of scrutiny. Motorcycle enthusiasts on the Internet quickly pointed out that the premium Honda touring bike he was riding comes with a staggering price tag of Rs 53 lakh. Several netizens raised questions about the minister’s safety, asking why he chose to ride without a helmet.