BJP Chief Apologizes After Hotelier's GST Remarks Video Leaked

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai apologized after party functionaries shared a private conversation video between a Coimbatore hotelier and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The video showed the hotelier discussing Goods and Services Tax (GST) issues. Opposition parties and netizens criticized the BJP's response, highlighting broader tensions with GST policies.

In a recent controversy, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai issued an apology following the dissemination of a private conversation video involving a Coimbatore restaurant owner and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The video, which quickly went viral, showed the hotelier Srinivasan discussing his grievances over the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime.

Srinivasan had expressed concerns about the erratic application of GST, giving an example of how a bun with cream attracted 18 per cent GST, while a plain bun attracted none. Following the incident, opposition parties slammed the BJP for coercing the hotelier into apologizing, viewing it as a broader issue of government arrogance in dealing with GST-related grievances.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and DMK MP Kanimozhi joined the criticism, with Gandhi asserting that small business owners deserve respect and simplified GST measures, while accusing the BJP of favoring elite billionaires. The AIADMK also condemned the event, calling it a demonstration of government arrogance.

(With inputs from agencies.)