Srinivasan, the owner of Sri Annapoorna restaurant can be seen apologizing to Sitharaman for his remarks on GST over food items in the video shared by the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit.
In the video that was taken down after the backlash, the restaurant owner was heard saying to Sitharaman :“I spoke only about those that were discussed in the association. I do not have any political party connections. Sorry, if I have said anything wrong.”
Srinivasan, who is also the president of the Tamil Nadu hotel owners’ association, in a lighthearted comment raised concern about the varying GST rates on food items while addressing Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman during an event in Coimbatore.
“Madam, a bun doesn’t attract GST, but when cream is applied to make it a cream bun, it attracts 12 per cent GST. Customers now say, ‘You bring the bun and cream separately, and I’ll make the cream bun,'” said Srinivasan. He also highlighted the challenges faced by the hotel’s computer system in calculating the different tax rates when families order various items, and he urged the minister to simplify the GST structure for food by implementing a uniform rate across all items.
Meanwhile, BJP leader K Annamalai apologised on behalf of the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit 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 functionaries who shared a private conversation between a respected business owner and our Hon. FM. I spoke with Thiru Srinivasan Avl, the esteemed owner of the Annapoorna chain of Restaurants, to express regret for this unintended breach of privacy,” he said on X.
“Annapoorna Srinivasan Anna is a pillar of Tamil Nadu’s business community, contributing significantly to the state’s and nation’s economic growth. I request everyone to lay the matter to rest with due respect,” he added.
Soon after the video surfaced, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi attacked the central government. “When the fragile egos of those in power are hurt, it seems humiliation is exactly what they’ll deliver,” he said in a post on X.
“When the owner of a small business, like Annapoorna restaurant in Coimbatore, asks our public servants for a simplified GST regime, his request is met with arrogance and outright disrespect,” he added.
The Congress leader also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of preferential treatment, saying, “when a billionaire friend seeks 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 humiliation is exactly what they’ll deliver.”