The last leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, passed away on Tuesday in Moscow at the age of 92. In addition to lessening tensions between the West and the former Soviet Union (USSR), Gorbachev is credited with ending the Cold War.
However, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Puducherry’s official Twitter account criticised the late leader by posting images of a Pizza Hut TV commercial that is now trending on social media.
The tweet from CPI (M) Puducherry stated, “Mikhail Gorbachev, a traitor to socialism and the ruin of the USSR, died at the age of 92.
In the 1997 television advertisement, Gorbachev enters a Pizza Hut restaurant after crossing Red Square. In the restaurant, patrons argue about Gorbachev’s legacy and reforms. One of the guests adds, “And now we have economic chaos because of him.”
Another diner asserts that it is due to the late Soviet leader’s initiatives that we have a chance and freedom.
The discussion of Gorbachev’s reforms is overheard by a woman, who remarks, “Thanks to him, we have many things like Pizza Hut!” All patrons then toast the president with “Hail Gorbachev!”
Media accounts claim that Pizza Hut was one of the first US companies to contact the USSR. In the beginning, Gorbachev declined to take part out of respect for his status as a former Soviet leader. He ultimately consented since his company required more office space.
After receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and being named general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1985, Gorbachev was forced to step down in 1991 as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union.
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