Parrikar brews, serves tea on Panaji street

After chairing a cabinet meeting Wednesday, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar dedicated himself to a relatively humble chore - making and serving tea on the streets of the capital.

As part in the Bharatiya Janata Party's 'Chai Pe Charcha' programme, Parrikar stylishly twirled the steel ladle, churning the milky brew in a large, steaming gas-fired pot set up near the Panaji market corner.

The tea was dished around in cups bearing Bharatiya Janata Party prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's photo. The programme is the the party's response to the constant targeting of Modi's humble origin as a tea seller by the Congress.

City-based tax consultant Shantaram Naik, who was served tea by Parrikar, said that it was a moment of pride for him.

"It is a moment of pride for me. How many people have the fortune of drinking tea made by the chief minister himself?" Naik said. Taking the first sip, he said the tea was "excellent".

"I wake up at 4.30 a.m. and make tea for myself...," Parrikar told IANS when asked if he was used to brewing tea.

Parrikar however did not taste his own brew. The chief minister who rarely drinks tea with milk, however helped himself to a cup of black tea, which suddenly appeared for him.