Kumari Aunty, who started her food business in 2011, experienced a surge in popularity, selling nearly 100 kg of food daily. Her rise was fueled by social media, with visits from film celebrities like Sundeep Kishen contributing to her newfound visibility. Meanwhile, since few days she became hot topic in the news and even AP political leaders Chandra Babu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan faced trolls because of her.
Telangana Chief Minister, A Revanth Reddy, recently stepped in to protect former boss N Chandrababu Naidu from online criticism related to the Kumari Aunty issue. Getting into the news, this controversy arose when the Raiduram traffic police closed down Kumari Aunty’s popular roadside food stall due to traffic concerns. Social media, previously instrumental in boosting Kumari Aunty’s business, turned the incident into a viral sensation.
Allegations surfaced that influential figures were behind the closure, linking it to the concerns of nearby hotels about their image. The YSR Congress party, in power in Andhra Pradesh, accused opposition leaders Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan of involvement in shutting down the food stall. YSRCP social media activists went on to claim that the incident followed the government providing a house to ‘Kumari Aunty.’
The situation took a political turn, threatening to intensify attacks on Naidu, Lokesh, and Kalyan on social media. In response, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy intervened, directing authorities to revoke the decision and supporting Kumari Aunty’s right to operate her stall.
Revanth Reddy marked the government’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and declared, “Praja Palana means the government stands by entrepreneurs. Congress government will stand by the poor & visit her stall shortly.” This intervention not only safeguarded Naidu, Lokesh, and Kalyan from further online backlash but also reinforced the government’s stand on supporting small businesses.
