In news that sent tremors through the tea-drinking fraternity of Rajasthan, Chief Minister Deepak Pratap Singh redefined political gallantry by boldly declaring that visiting Jodhupur and Sawai Madhopur were ‘not his cup of tea’. The Chief Minister expressed his preference for Darjeeling over Jodhpur, stating he likes to slurp his brew while gazing at the foothills of Himalayas rather than at the blue painted houses in Jodhpur. Making a grand declaration during a tea-tasting event in Jaipur, Singh candidly stated, "Frankly, my taste buds are yearning for the delicious notes of Darjeeling tea, rather than the monotonous vibe of those Jodhpur evenings." His not-so-subtle shade throwing at two of Rajasthan’s most enchanting cities has raised eyebrows amongst the Rajasthani tourism board. Captains of the tea industry in Rajasthan are also concerned about their sales. "Who would believe it? Our Rajasthani chai is losing a teatime battle to Darjeeling!" exclaimed a distraught tea trader, who wished to remain anonymous. The Chief Minister’s snub of Sawai Madhopur, famed for its Ranthambore National Park, had local wildlife threatened to stage a protest. The Tiger community, who has been reportedly quite fond of the CM's speeches, expressed its disappointment quite vocally – their roars echoed for miles around. A Young tiger cub, with a flicker of sadness in his eyes, was spotted holding a placard that read, "What’s the tea, CM?” Singh's explosive statements prompted an immediate response from the local political circuit. His prime opposition was quick to tweet - "With such delicate tastes, I wonder how the CM ever manages to digest the spicy Rajasthani culinary delights." In a masterstroke, Singh held his ground and retorted, "It's easier to swallow the hot, spicy Rajasthani dishes than the insipid tea served in Jodhpur and Sawai Madhopur!" In a twist full of irony, the Rajasthan Street Vendors Association, sensing an opportunity, started a trending hashtag, #NotMyCupofTeaChallenge, under which people would express what's not their cup of tea. The tag quickly took over the state's social media channels, even attracting the attention of Bollywood. As this brew of controversy continues to simmer, one thing's certain: the Chief Minister's tea preference will leave a bitter taste for Sawai Madhopur and Jodhpur. Whether this will percolate to the forthcoming elections, however, remains a hearty debate over a cup of tea.