"Small businesses, MSMEs buckling under weight of BJP govt's disastrous policies": Priyanka Gandhi slams Centre over GST row

New Delhi [India], September 13 : Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday slammed the central government over the goods and services tax (GST) and said that the small businesses and MSMEs are "buckling" under the weight of the BJP-led government's disastrous policies.
Citing the purported example of a restaurant owner of Coimbatore who reportedly apologised to Union Finance Minister Sitharaman over asking a question relating to GST, Priyanka Gandhi claimed that when a small businessman asks questions from the government, he gets 'humiliated'.
"Ask Questions, Get Humiliated--That's Modi Government's Response to Accountability! In a shocking display of arrogance, the owner of Sree Annapoorna restaurant in Coimbatore was humiliated for daring to question the Finance Minister about the complex GST policies of the Modi government," the Congress leader posted on X.
"The business owner raised a legitimate concern over the GST burden and was mocked, followed by a forced apology on camera--an intimidation tactic straight out of the government's playbook," she added.
"Small businesses and MSMEs are buckling under the weight of the BJP government's disastrous policies--first demonetisation, now an overly complex GST. Meanwhile, the BJP's wealthy cronies get it all: hefty tax cuts, loan waivers and rules rigged in their favour," the Congress leader added.
Priyanka Gandhi accused the central government of silencing the voices rather than solving problems and said that the government needs to start delivering a GST that works for everyone.
"Congress has consistently pushed for a simpler, fairer GST, but this government seems more interested in silencing voices than solving problems. The government needs to stop ignoring the people and start delivering a GST that works for everyone--not just the rich," she said.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also slammed the government and alleged the "disgraceful humiliation" of the Annapoorna restaurant owner shows the BJP's "arrogance of power".
Taking it to a social media post on X, Mallikarjun Kharge wrote, "'Tax Terror' for Poor & Middle Class, while 'Tax Cuts' for Modi ji's Crony Friends! The disgraceful humiliation of a small businessman, the owner of Sree Annapoorna restaurant in Coimbatore by the Finance Minister and the BJP, smacks of arrogance of power. She has been a repeated offender in such public interactions. The owner asked a genuine question about Modi Govt's flawed GST and was first met with a condescending laugh by the FM and later forced to apologise to her on camera."
Stressing the need for a "simple, uniform, moderate and rational GST on essential items", Kharge said that MSMEs and small business owners are suffering from the "financial policies" of the central government.
The tweet added, "MSMEs and Small Business owners are suffering the brunt of Modi Govt's repeated financial assaults in the form of a flawed GST and Demonetisation. BJP is only committed to benefit Modi ji's large crony friends! From Day 1, the Congress party is saying that we need a Simple, Uniform, Moderate and Rational GST on essential items. In our 2024 Manifesto, we said, "Congress will replace the GST laws enacted by the BJP/NDA government with GST 2.0. The new GST regime will be based on the universally accepted principle that GST shall be a single, moderate rate (with a few exceptions) that will not burden the poor". Congress party is strongly committed to this. BJP's 'Loot Small Owners & Shoot the Messenger' policy spells a disaster for the Nation's economy!"
Earlier, 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 BJP Tamil Nadu, 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, the esteemed owner of the Annapoorna chain of Restaurants, to express regret for this unintended breach of privacy. 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 said.