A controversy erupted after the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit tweeted a video of Annapurna restaurant chain owner Srinivasan “apologising” to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during a private conversation. The “apology” reportedly came after he publicly highlighted the challenges faced by business owners due to different GST rates on various items. The video triggered outrage in the opposition, which accused the BJP of “forcing” the businessman to apologise to Sitharaman.
What happened was that: During a meeting with business owners and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Sri Annapurna restaurant owner Srinivasan raised challenges around GST rules and complexities in billing and how these are impacting businesses and customers.
“Sweets have 5 per cent GST, but savoury ones have 12 per cent. Cream-filled buns have 18 per cent GST, while there is no GST on buns. Customers often complain, saying, ‘Just give me the bun, I’ll put cream and jam on it myself’,” the Annapurna owner said, drawing laughter from the audience and the finance minister.
Nirmala Sitharaman listened to them and assured them that the issues would be looked into.
Later, the Tamil Nadu BJP unit shared a video in which Srinivasan was purportedly seen “apologising” to Nirmala Sitharaman and clarifying that he does not belong to any political party.
State BJP president Annamalai also apologised after the video, which appeared to be a “private conversation”, surfaced.
What did the opposition say?
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolled out the red carpet for the demands of his “billionaire friend” while the restaurant owner’s request was treated with “arrogance and total disrespect”.
“When small business owners like Annapurna restaurant in Coimbatore ask our public servants for a simplified GST regime, their requests are treated with arrogance and outright disrespect. Yet, when a billionaire friend wants to break the rules, change the law or acquire national assets, Modiji rolls out the red carpet,” Rahul Gandhi said in a post on Instagram.
He said: “Our small business owners have already suffered through demonetisation, an inaccessible banking system, tax collections and the disastrous GST. The least they want is more humiliation. But when the fragile egos of those in power are hurt, it seems they will only resort to humiliation.”
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said, “While the Finance Minister laughed it off on stage, the same owner had to apologise to her in person later. Her apology was secretly recorded and shared by the BJP’s official handle (Video 2). This is the height of arrogance where a businessman cannot even voice his concern. Madam Finance Minister, being in public life is meant to listen to grievances and provide solutions, not intimidate complainants. Shame on you!”
