Harsh Goenka tags Bhavish Aggarwal amid Ola boss's social media spat with comedian Kunal Kamra over customer service

-, Oct 09, 2024, India Blooms News Service

Bengaluru: RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka took a jab at Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal on Tuesday, referencing the recent public spat between Aggarwal and comedian Kunal Kamra.

In a tweet on his official X account, Goenka remarked that he uses Ola for short trips, making a pun out of Kamras surname.

If I have to travel close distances, I mean from one kamra (room) to another, I use my Ola, Goenka posted, tagging Bhavish Aggarwal and sharing a photo of himself seated on an Ola electric vehicle.

If I have to travel close distances, I mean from one kamra to another, I use my Ola @bhash pic.twitter.com/wujahVCzR1

The reference to kamra was a nod to the comedian, Kunal Kamra, who recently clashed with Aggarwal over the state of Olas service centers.

The spat began when Kamra tweeted a photo of several EV scooters parked at an Ola service center, questioning the state of customer service.

Do Indian consumers have a voice? Do they deserve this? Two-wheelers are the lifeline for many daily wage workers... Anyone with an issue with Ola Electric, share your story below tagging all, Kamra wrote. He later added in response to a user, Worse is the leader has no reply.

This criticism sparked a heated response from Bhavish Aggarwal, who accused Kamra of being paid to tweet negatively about the company.

Since you care so much, Kunal Kamra, come and help us out! Ill even pay more than you earned for this paid tweet or from your failed comedy career. Or else sit quiet and let us focus on fixing the issues for the real customers. Were expanding the service network fast and backlogs will be cleared soon, Aggarwal fired back on X.

Since you care so much @kunalkamra88, come and help us out! Ill even pay more than you earned for this paid tweet or from your failed comedy career. Or else sit quiet and let us focus on fixing the issues for the real customers. Were expanding service network fast and backlogs https://t.co/ZQ4nmqjx5q

Kamra was quick to respond, challenging Aggarwals claims.

Paid tweet, failed comedy career, and sit quietly. Indian businessman at their humble best... If you can prove I am paid for this tweet or anything else Ive said against private companies, Ill delete all social media and sit quietly forever, Kamra shot back, sharing a clip of one of his standup performances from the previous year.

On my failed comedy career heres a clip from last year when I surprised an audience opened for Grover Anything else you arrogant, substandard, prick @bhash pic.twitter.com/e7bQzVcCrT

Aggarwal responded once again, urging Kamra to visit an Ola service center: Chot lagi? Dard hua? (Did it hurt?) Aaja service centre. Bahut kaam hai (We have a lot of work). I will pay better than your flop shows pay you. Show your audience how much you truly care and whether youre only gas.

Kamra countered by suggesting that Ola provide a total refund to any customer who purchased an EV in the last four months and wished to return it.

I dont need your money. People not being able to get to their workplace need your accountability. Show your customers that you truly care, he posted.

In his reply, Aggarwal claimed that Ola already had enough programs to address customer service delays.

He added, If you were a genuine one, you would have known. Again, dont try and back out of this. Come and do some real work rather than armchair criticism.

We have enough programs for our customers if they face service delays. If you were a genuine one, you would have known. Again, dont try and back out of this. Come and do some real work rather than armchair criticism. https://t.co/HFFKgsl7d9

The public exchange coincided with another controversy facing Ola Electric.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued a show cause notice to the company for allegedly violating consumer rights, misleading advertising, and engaging in unfair trade practices, according to a regulatory filing.

Ola received the notice via email on October 7, 2024.

In addition to these challenges, Ola Electric has been grappling with declining stock performance and falling sales.

On Monday, shares of Ola Electric Mobility plummeted by more than 8%, marking a steep decline of 43% from its post-listing peak.

The drop came as complaints about its flagship electric two-wheelers continued to circulate on social media.

This marked the third consecutive session of declines for the EV maker.

Ola Electric sold 23,965 vehicles in September, marking a month-on-month decline for the second consecutive month. Its market share has also dropped for five straight months, falling to 27% in September from over 50% in April.

The drop in sales has been attributed to issues with Olas S1 series EV scooters, with users reporting problems such as hardware malfunctions and software glitches.