Annamalai apologizes after video of businessman’s apology to Nirmala Sitharaman sparks controversy
Chennai: BJP Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai has issued an apology after a video showing the Managing Director of Tamil Nadu’s renowned Annapoorna hotel, Thiru K. Srinivasan, apologizing to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, went viral. The video, shared by local BJP functionaries, stirred controversy with opposition parties accusing the BJP of forcing the businessman to apologize and humiliating him publicly.
The video, which shows a private meeting between Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan, and Thiru Srinivasan, features the hotelier expressing regret for his earlier remarks on the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Thiru Srinivasan, who is also the honorary president of the Tamil Nadu Hotels Association, had earlier criticized the GST structure during a public event, highlighting inconsistencies in the taxation of various items.
Annamalai apologized on behalf of the Tamil Nadu BJP, stating, "I sincerely apologize for the actions of our functionaries who shared a private conversation between a respected business owner and our Honorable Finance Minister. I personally spoke to Thiru Srinivasan to express regret for this breach of privacy." He also praised Srinivasan’s contributions to the state's economy and affirmed that the release of the video was unintended.
The video, originally shared by BJP Tamil Nadu convenor Balaji MS, showed Srinivasan apologizing for what was termed an "indecent" speech. The controversy erupted after the video was made public, following a closed-door meeting that took place after Nirmala Sitharaman’s interaction with industrialists and hoteliers in Coimbatore on September 11.
During the public event, Srinivasan had raised concerns over the GST system, using the example of differential tax rates on food items. He humorously pointed out how adding cream to a bun changes the GST from 0% to 18%, confusing both customers and systems. His light-hearted remarks received laughter from the audience but led to further discussions on the complexities of the tax system.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the BJP’s handling of the situation, accusing them of arrogance and disrespect towards small business owners. In a strong statement, Gandhi said, "When the owner of a small business, like Annapoorna restaurant in Coimbatore, requests a simplified GST regime, he is met with arrogance. Yet, when a billionaire friend seeks to bend the rules, the government rolls out the red carpet."
Gandhi went on to criticize the impact of policies like demonetization and GST on small businesses, saying they have already suffered enough and do not deserve further humiliation. He suggested that those in power were too sensitive to criticism and resorted to public shaming when their egos were hurt.
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.
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) September 13, 2024
I spoke with Thiru Srinivasan Avl, the esteemed owner of the Annapoorna chain of Restaurants, to express…
There was a meeting organised in Coimbatore with businesses and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
— Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) September 13, 2024
▪️The owner of Sree Annapoorna, a famous vegetarian restaurant chain in Coimbatore, Mr. Srinivasan explained the problems of different GST rates for different items to FM
▪️He… pic.twitter.com/FXCZTWUjcU
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
