CHENNAI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the Union government of arrogance after the owner of Annapoorna restaurant in Coimbatore requested a simplified GST regime. BJP state unit president K Annamalai, who is currently in the UK for an educational training program, issued an apology via X for the actions of BJP “functionaries” for making public a private conversation between a respected business owner and the Union finance minister.
Taking to X, Rahul Gandhi stated that the owner of a small business like Annapoorna had made a request to the “public servants” for a simplified GST regime but was met with arrogance and disrespect. “Our small business owners have already endured the blows of demonetization, an inaccessible banking system, tax extortion and a disastrous GST. The last thing they deserve is further humiliation.
Stressing that the MSMEs had been seeking relief for years, Rahul argued that a simplified GST with a single tax rate would solve the problems of lakhs of businesses if the “arrogant govt” would listen to the people and understand.
The Congress leader accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of preferential treatment for billionaires, 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,” he posted.
Annamalai said he spoke with Srinivasan, the owner, and expressed regret for the “unintended breach of privacy.” He said that Srinivasan was a pillar of Tamil Nadu’s business community, contributing significantly to both state and national economic growth, and requested all to lay the matter to rest with due respect.
Taking to X, Rahul Gandhi stated that the owner of a small business like Annapoorna had made a request to the “public servants” for a simplified GST regime but was met with arrogance and disrespect. “Our small business owners have already endured the blows of demonetization, an inaccessible banking system, tax extortion and a disastrous GST. The last thing they deserve is further humiliation.
Stressing that the MSMEs had been seeking relief for years, Rahul argued that a simplified GST with a single tax rate would solve the problems of lakhs of businesses if the “arrogant govt” would listen to the people and understand.
The Congress leader accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of preferential treatment for billionaires, 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,” he posted.
Annamalai said he spoke with Srinivasan, the owner, and expressed regret for the “unintended breach of privacy.” He said that Srinivasan was a pillar of Tamil Nadu’s business community, contributing significantly to both state and national economic growth, and requested all to lay the matter to rest with due respect.
