BJP VS CONGRESS AFTER PM MODI MENTIONS ARAKU COFFEE IN 'MANN KI BAAT' ADDRESS

A political slugfest seems to have begun between the BJP and Congress over Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioning Araku coffee in the 111th episode of "Mann ki Baat" on Sunday morning.

While the Congress attacked PM Modi for taking credit for the coffee brand, the BJP was quick to hit back saying the party has been "hit hard" by the loss in the Lok Sabha elections.

On Sunday, PM Modi lauded the "flavour and significance" of Araku coffee from Andhra Pradesh as he recalled sharing a moment over the coffee with the state's chief minister, N Chandrababu Naidu.

He also emphasised the popularity of Araku coffee, pointing out its presence during the G20 summit hosted by India in September 2023.

While talking about several Indian products that enjoy a high global demand, PM Modi said, "One such product is Araku coffee, renowned for its rich flavor and aroma, cultivated extensively in the Alluri Sita Ram Raju district of Andhra Pradesh. About 1.5 lakh tribal families are engaged in cultivating Araku coffee, with the Girijan cooperative playing a crucial role in its success. By uniting local farmers and encouraging them to cultivate Araku coffee, the cooperative has significantly boosted their income."

However, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took a potshot at PM Modi for "exaggerating" facts.

Taking to X, the Congress leader said that the Prime Minister gave the impression that he had invented the Araku coffee brand.

"It was the Naandi Foundation that was responsible for the initiative of coffee cultivation by tribal communities in the lovely Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh with assistance from the state and the central government. As Minister of State of Commerce, I had been privileged to launch the brand in Araku Valley on December 21, 2007. I had been back there five years later as Union Minister of Rural Development."

The remarks soon drew the ire of the BJP.

Calling Jairam Ramesh a "troll master," Union Minister Piyush Goyal wrote on X, "It's impressive how he consistently challenges the definition of intelligence. PM Narendra Modi ji spoke about Araku Coffee and the Girijan Cooperative Corporation, which was certainly not formed by this troll master. Instead of being proud of PM mentioning a unique local product, he's weeping. The third successive defeat has clearly hit hard."

Araku coffee acquired its Geographical Indication (GI) designation in 2019. A GI tag denotes items that come from a certain geographical location and are regarded as having unique traits or reputations as a result of their origin.

2024-06-30T18:39:58Z dg43tfdfdgfd