Jhargram: Amid intense campaigning for the West Bengal elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi briefly stopped his convoy at a roadside jhalmuri stall in Jhargram, West Bengal, on Sunday. A video capturing his interaction with the stall owner has since gone viral on social media.
However, some X users questioned why the Prime Minister chose to pay the stall owner in cash instead of using UPI, which was introduced during PM Modi’s first term. Political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla also raised this question on X.
"The most Hon'ble PM paid in cash. The shopkeeper did not have UPI or online payment system. But overall a sweet interaction." His brother and BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has answered the question now responding to the post.
The shopkeeper accepted payment via UPI—the same system that Congress finance minister Chidambaram had arrogantly dismissed, claiming the poor would never be able to use it. The ₹10 note was given so the shopkeeper could keep it as a lasting memento, he said.
Introduced in 2016, UPI has expanded to over eight countries, such as the UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, and Qatar. This international reach is positioning India as a frontrunner in the digital payments space.
The stall is operated by Vikram Sah, a native of Bihar’s Gaya district, who has been running this small business in Jhargram for more than ten years. For the vendor, the Prime Minister’s unanticipated visit turned a routine day into a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Election Dates
The West Bengal elections are scheduled to be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with vote counting set for May 4.