India
BJP expels functionary after video of restaurant owner’s apology to Sitharaman sparks outrage | India News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Saturday expelled a party functionary after a video of the owner of the popular Sri Annapoorna restaurant demanding an apology from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman went viral on social media, triggering criticism from the DMK and the Congress party.
Srinivasan, the owner of Sri Annapoorna restaurant, in the video shared by the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit, apologises to Sitharaman for his comments on GST on food items.
In the video, which was deleted after the negative reactions, the restaurant owner was heard telling Sitharaman: “I only spoke on the issues that were discussed in the association. I have no political party affiliation whatsoever. Sorry if I said anything wrong.”
Srinivasan, who is also the president of the Tamil Nadu Hotel Owners Association, expressed concern over the differential GST rates on food items in a light-hearted comment while addressing Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at an event in Coimbatore.
“Madam, a bun is not subject to GST, but when cream is added to make it a bun, there is 12 per cent GST. Customers are now saying, ‘You bring the bun and cream separately and I will make the bun,'” Srinivasan said. He also highlighted the challenges faced by the hotel’s computer system in calculating the different tax rates when families order different items and urged the minister to simplify the GST structure for food by implementing a uniform rate for all items.
Meanwhile, BJP leader K Annamalai on behalf of the BJP unit in Tamil Nadu apologised for making the conversation between the restaurant owner and the finance minister public.
“On behalf of @BJP4TamilNadu, I sincerely apologise for the actions of our officials who shared a private conversation between a respected business owner and our Hon. FM. I spoke to Thiru Srinivasan Avl, the esteemed owner of the Annapoorna restaurant chain, to express my regret for this inadvertent invasion of privacy,” he said on X.
“Annapoorna Srinivasan Anna is a pillar of the Tamil Nadu business community and contributes significantly to the economic growth of the state and the country. I request everyone to let the matter rest with due respect,” he added.
Shortly after the video surfaced, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, attacked the central government. “When the fragile egos of those in power are hurt, it seems they will deliver humiliation,” he said in a post on X.
“When the owner of a small business“When a restaurant like Annapoorna restaurant in Coimbatore asks our officials for a simplified GST regime, its request is met with arrogance and outright disdain,” he added.
The Congress leader also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of preferential treatment, saying, “When a billionaire friend wants to bend the rules, change the laws or acquire national assets, Modi Ji rolls out the red carpet. But when the fragile egos of those in power are hurt, it seems they will deliver humiliation.”
Srinivasan, the owner of Sri Annapoorna restaurant, in the video shared by the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit, apologises to Sitharaman for his comments on GST on food items.
In the video, which was deleted after the negative reactions, the restaurant owner was heard telling Sitharaman: “I only spoke on the issues that were discussed in the association. I have no political party affiliation whatsoever. Sorry if I said anything wrong.”
Srinivasan, who is also the president of the Tamil Nadu Hotel Owners Association, expressed concern over the differential GST rates on food items in a light-hearted comment while addressing Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at an event in Coimbatore.
“Madam, a bun is not subject to GST, but when cream is added to make it a bun, there is 12 per cent GST. Customers are now saying, ‘You bring the bun and cream separately and I will make the bun,'” Srinivasan said. He also highlighted the challenges faced by the hotel’s computer system in calculating the different tax rates when families order different items and urged the minister to simplify the GST structure for food by implementing a uniform rate for all items.
Meanwhile, BJP leader K Annamalai on behalf of the BJP unit in Tamil Nadu apologised for making the conversation between the restaurant owner and the finance minister public.
“On behalf of @BJP4TamilNadu, I sincerely apologise for the actions of our officials who shared a private conversation between a respected business owner and our Hon. FM. I spoke to Thiru Srinivasan Avl, the esteemed owner of the Annapoorna restaurant chain, to express my regret for this inadvertent invasion of privacy,” he said on X.
“Annapoorna Srinivasan Anna is a pillar of the Tamil Nadu business community and contributes significantly to the economic growth of the state and the country. I request everyone to let the matter rest with due respect,” he added.
Shortly after the video surfaced, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, attacked the central government. “When the fragile egos of those in power are hurt, it seems they will deliver humiliation,” he said in a post on X.
“When the owner of a small business“When a restaurant like Annapoorna restaurant in Coimbatore asks our officials for a simplified GST regime, its request is met with arrogance and outright disdain,” he added.
The Congress leader also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of preferential treatment, saying, “When a billionaire friend wants to bend the rules, change the laws or acquire national assets, Modi Ji rolls out the red carpet. But when the fragile egos of those in power are hurt, it seems they will deliver humiliation.”
