'Modi idlis' to compete with hugely popular 'Amma idlis' in Tamil Nadu

The hugely popular ‘Amma Idli’ in Tamil Nadu will soon have some competition at least in Salem — from ‘Modi idli’.

The ‘Amma’ idlis are quite popular in Tamil Nadu for being cheap — an idli costs just Re 1 — and of good quality. A BJP functionary plans to offer ‘Modi idli’ for Rs 10 for a plate of four.

An ad campaign has been launched ahead of the introduction of ‘Modi idli’, with posters coming up at many parts of the city and on autos.

This is the brainchild of the BJP’s propaganda cell vice-president Mahesh.

“Four idlis for ₹10 with sambar will soon be introduced in Salem. They are made with modern kitchen equipment and are tasty and healthy,” the posters read.

Mahesh said he planned the scheme after seeing many people suffer due to the COVID crisis even after the lifting of the lockdown.

“Every day, close to 100 people come to our office in need of a job, food, etc. So we thought the need of the hour was to give subsidised food with good quality,” said Mahesh, reported The Indian Express.

“We decided to give idli, the staple food of Tamil Nadu, at ₹10 for breakfast and dinner.”

He said the scheme is being launched on behalf of a  trust that runs in his father’s name. He decided to call it ‘Modi idlis’ because the prime minister is his hero, he said.

Related news: Modi’s love of ‘idli-dosa’ hides his govt’s liking for ‘dal-roti’

Mahesh said the idlis will be prepared in a state-of-the-art equipment. “We are doing this to help people, with best quality rice and daal,” he said.

He said the ingredients of ‘Modi idlis’ are of a much better quality than what goes into the making of ‘Amma idlis. “Amma idli uses PDS rice and daal. We will buy the highest quality rice and daal,” he said, according to The Indian Express.

“Moreover, Amma idli centres prepare 100 or 200 idlis per day. Only 40 or 50 people get to eat that, whereas here we will supply 40,000 idlis per day,” he said.

The equipment, bought at a cost of ₹20 lakh, can make 900 idlis in five minutes, he said. “We are going to distribute this around 22 centres in Salem. This will fit into everyone’s budget,” he said.

Mahesh said the ‘Modi idlis’ will be launched by next week.