THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Keralites are leading a lavish lifestyle, according to some BJP leaders. That is why they are opposing demonetisation, the leaders allege. However, the BJP men have found nothing wrong in the party’s Rajya Sabha MP, Suresh Gopi, buying an Audi or getting it registered in the Union Territory of Puducherry (Pondicherry) paying only Rs 55, 000 registration charge. In Kerala, the charge would have come to Rs 5.5 lakh as the Audi Q7 costs Rs 75 lakh. It is flaunting of his wealth and also tax evasion, according to his critics.
However, he rubbished their charge saying that he wanted to get his favourite registration number (999) which was available only under Puducherry registration (PY 01 BA 999). He told an online news website that the registration number had already been taken by a user in Kerala forcing him to go all the way to Puducherry. For any vehicle which is priced above Rs 20 lakh, the Union Territory charges a flat tax rate of Rs 55, 000 only. He had purchased it in February and posted the picture on his Facebook page. It came under media glare when he travelled in it during his Delhi trip a few days ago. A top BJP leader rubbished the controversy saying Puducherry is also a part of the country and that the MP had not done anything wrong.
