When Modi said it over tea

Modi’s ‘Chai pe Charcha with NaMo’ was streamed live at 1,000 tea stalls across the country

February 12, 2014 11:06 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 09:56 pm IST - HYDERABAD:

Tea vendors at the video conference, 'Chai pe Charcha', near Osmania University on Wednesday. - Photo: K. Rahul Kumar

Tea vendors at the video conference, 'Chai pe Charcha', near Osmania University on Wednesday. - Photo: K. Rahul Kumar

The humble tea stall of Vinod Naik, 35, near Osmania University was caught in the glare of cameras as it was the venue of the maiden venture of the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s programme ‘Chai pe Charcha with NaMo’ on Wednesday.

Naik was one among the 35 tea vendors selected from across the country to interact with Mr. Modi through video conference. The interaction was organised by an NGO, Citizens for Accountable Governance (CAG), and was streamed live at nearly 1,000 tea stalls across the country. Mr. Modi fielded questions and spelt out his stand on corruption, black money, alternative energy and education. Sashank, a student, asked Mr. Modi about the possibility of effective implementation of government schemes.

Maintaining that governments did not represent parties, Mr. Modi said if the BJP formed government at the Centre, it would be duty-bound to implement schemes in all parts of the country. “Once a government is formed, it is responsible to all people, and we have to ensure the welfare of all constituencies even if they do not give us a majority,” he said.

Though the event did not draw a huge turnout, passers-by welcomed the initiative.

“In a country where leaders are often disconnected with the people, this initiative should be appreciated, as it puts the top contender in touch with the public,” B. Raghav, a private sector employee, said.

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