Modi's 'Chai pe Charcha' is not a novel idea: Jaiswal

Union Minister says there is a tradition in India to indulge in discussion over a cup of tea in every nook and corner

Union Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal today said there was nothing novel about BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's 'Chai pe Charcha' programme.

"There is a tradition in the country to indulge in discussion over a cup of tea in every nook and corner, in fact it has become a culture of the nation. I don't think Modi has done anything new," Jaiswal told reporters at a private function here.

Asked about the possible 'Modi effect', especially in the key state of Uttar Pradesh, Jaiswal, avoiding a direct answer, said much would depend on the situation prevailing at the national level in the next two months.

"We are hopeful that the people will strengthen the democracy in these (coming) polls," he said.

Replying to a question, Jaiswal said yesterday's incidents in the Parliament over the Telangana bill were unfortunate, and they lowered the prestige of the house and of the Indian democracy.

The Union Coal Minister refuted Madhya Pradesh Government's allegation that the Centre was acting in a partisan manner while allocating coal, and added that all the states in the country were getting the necessary fuel as per the requirement.

The BJP government in the state was levelling allegations to hide its own failures, he said.