The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday expelled a party leader for circulating the video of D Srinivasan, managing director of Annapoorna Hotels, where the latter was seen apologising to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman for his recent remarks on GST rates on several food items.

In a press statement, district BJP president J Ramesh Kumar announced the removal of Singanallur mandal president R Sathish from both his position and basic party membership for actions deemed detrimental to the party's welfare, TOI reported.

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A massive furore erupted after Tamil Nadu Hotels Association chief Annapoorna Srinivasan was seen apologising to the finance minister in person after posing questions before her on GST rates at a public event. The Opposition alleged Srinivasan was threatened by the BJP MLA, following which he apologised to the minister.

Congress leader and LoP Rahul Gandhi also rebuked the government over meeting genuine requests of people with ‘arrogance and disrespect’. “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. Yet, when a billionaire friend seeks to bend the rules, change the laws, or acquire national assets, Modi Ji rolls out the red carpet,” Rahul posted on X.

Former Congress chief also tore into the government for implementing schemes that were proved ‘disastrous’ for the small businesses.

“Our small business owners have already endured the blows of demonetisation, an inaccessible banking system, tax extortion and a disastrous GST. The last thing they deserve is further humiliation. But when the fragile egos of those in power are hurt, it seems humiliation is exactly what they’ll deliver. MSMEs have been asking for relief for years. If this arrogant government would listen to the people they would understand that a simplified GST with a single tax rate would solve the problems of lakhs of businesses,” he added.

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The Congress organised a protest in the city, accusing Nirmala Sitharaman of allegedly pressuring the hotelier to apologise after questioning her about the GST. As part of the demonstration, state Congress president Selvaperunthagai and Coimbatore North District Congress Committee chief V.M.C. Manoharan wore garlands made of cream buns as a symbolic gesture.


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