Not a fan of unscripted interactions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly had an awkward episode during his videoconference session with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) booth workers from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, on Wednesday, December 19.
The Telegraph reported that during the session, Modi asked the gathered booth workers of the party, “Well, Puducherry people are waiting. Let us now go to Puducherry. I was fortunate to visit Puducherry earlier this year. Puducherry is very beautiful and has become a tourist spot. Who wants to talk from Puducherry?”
In response, Nirmal Kumar Jain seemed to stun the PM as he said, “Honourable Prime Minister… I am grateful for this opportunity to speak to you. My question is the work that you are doing to change the country is undoubtedly a good step but the middle class is of the opinion that your government is only busy collecting tax in all manner and in all ways.”
According to the Telegraph, Jain, who spoke both in English and Hindi mentioned, “They did not get the relaxation they were hoping for in IT sector, loan processing procedure and bank transaction fees and penalty. It is my request that take care of the middle class, which is the root of your party, like the way you take care while collecting tax from them. Thank you.”
The Telegraph report mentions that Modi looked taken aback by the question and even attempted to make a feeble joke while replying. “Thank you, Nirmalji. You are a trader, so it’s normal that you will talk business. I favour taking care of common people and the common people will be taken care of, I assure you,” reported the Telegraph.
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