The Asian Age

After ‘ Chai pe Charcha’, BJP plans ‘ Pakoda Parties’

If initiative clicks in Delhi, BJP will take it across the country; Cong claims move ‘ ridiculous’

- SHASHI BHUSHAN

As is its wont, the BJP has decided to try and turn yet another jibe from the Opposition into its marketable advantage.

After “Chai pe Charcha”, the party now plans to organise “Pakoda Parties” to contain the damage that may have been done by the Prime Minister’s remark.

In a TV interview last month, the PM said that his government emphasises self- employment for which loans have been disbursed, and that selling pakodas, too, is a job.

The Congress mocked this and the SP set up “PM Pakoda Training Centres” for unemployed, educated youths in UP.

But to champion PM Narendra Modi’s “pakodawala­s” logic, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari says that he plans to organise a “Pakoda Party” in his Lok Sabha constituen­cy ( North- West Delhi) on February 12 during a meeting of district and block level office bearers.

“Pakodawala­s” have been called to set up stalls. And if it clicks, the BJP will take it across the country.

It is learnt that at the BJP’s ‘ pakoda party’, various kinds of pakodas will be served with a special ‘ green chutney’. The party has decided to call a ‘ famous pakodwala’ from the area.

Move over ‘ chai pe charcha’, the BJP is now coming up with a ‘ pakoda party’.

The first step to support the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi’s appreciati­on of ‘ pakoda walas’ is being taken by the Delhi BJP chief, Mr Manoj Tiwari.

If the ‘ pakoda party’ clicks in Delhi, the BJP will take this across the country. The ‘ pakoda party’ is being held in the Lok Sabha constituen­cy ( North- West Delhi) of Mr Tiwari on February 12. After this he would organise ‘ pakoda parties’ in all 14 districts of Delhi.

“We stand by all those insulted by the Congress,” Mr Tiwari said as he revealed the detailed and elaborate plan of his ‘ pakoda party’. Somewhat taken aback by the BJP’s sudden brainwave, the Congress described the move as ‘ ridiculous’.

Speaking animatedly, Mr Tiwari told this newspaper that “first such meet will be organised in my constituen­cy during a meeting of district and block level office- bearers”. The ‘ pakodawala­s’ have been called to set up stalls at the venue.

The BJP latched on to the ‘ pakoda’ theme after the Prime Minister during a TV interview said: “If a man selling pakodas outside the Zee TV office takes home ` 200 at the end of the day, is that not employment?” The remark led to a controvers­y with the Opposition parties cutting across party lines, ridiculed him.

Taking the ‘ pakoda’ theme forward, Mr Tiwari said the pakoda meeting would be in line with “Modiji’s sabka sath, sabka vikas”.

It is learnt that at BJP’s ‘ pakoda party’, various kinds of pakodas will be served with special ‘ green chutney’.

The party has decided to call a ‘ famous pakodwala’ from the area.

The BJP has also shortliste­d some pakodawala­s in Mr Tiwari’s constituen­cy.

As for the grand plan of holding parties in all 14 districts, at least five pakodawala­s would be asked to set up stalls at the meeting venues. These meetings are expected to start from next week.

Reacting to the pakoda party of Delhi BJP, veteran Delhi Congresss leader Chattar Singh said, “Such things clearly suggest that the country is heading for disaster. We don’t need pakoda party. All that we need is jobs across sectors to take the country forward.”

Prime Minister Modi’s remark has triggered protests, and former finance minister P. Chidambara­m had said that that “If selling pakodas is a job, so is begging.”

 ??  ?? Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi
 ??  ?? Manoj Tiwari
Manoj Tiwari

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