Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal has disclosed that he asked Blinkit founder Albinder Dhindsa to step down on two occasions shortly after the quick commerce company's acquisition. The revelations came during a video podcast with entrepreneur Raj Shamani, where Goyal discussed the challenges of post-acquisition leadership integration.

Leadership Challenges During Integration

Goyal explained that the discussions occurred soon after the acquisition when Dhindsa was finding it difficult to adapt to the structural and cultural changes required following Blinkit's integration into Zomato's ecosystem. According to Goyal, the conversations were candid and direct, reflecting the pressure to align leadership with the company's evolving priorities during the transition phase.

Management Philosophy and Approach

Goyal described his management style as one that balances patience with confrontation. He typically begins with sustained coaching but shifts to a more forceful approach when progress stalls. In some cases, he deliberately pushes leaders to what he termed a "rock bottom" phase, aiming to dismantle mental blocks that prevent growth.

While acknowledging that the process can be emotionally difficult, Goyal argued that it stems from belief in an individual's potential rather than disregard for them. The Zomato CEO added that this approach has delivered results more often than not, with a majority of leaders emerging stronger after such intense phases.

Acquisition Details and Impact

Zomato acquired Blinkit, formerly known as Grofers, in 2022 through an all-stock transaction. The deal represented a significant strategic move for Zomato's expansion into the rapidly growing quick commerce sector.

Since the acquisition, Blinkit has emerged as a key growth engine for Zomato, driven by rapid dark store expansion and rising order volumes. However, Goyal did not clarify whether Dhindsa's formal role or decision-making authority was changed during the transition period, only indicating that a transition process was initiated at the time.

Industry Implications

Goyal's remarks offer rare public insight into the challenges of integrating founder-led companies after large acquisitions, particularly in highly competitive consumer technology segments. The disclosure highlights the complexities involved in aligning leadership structures and corporate cultures when established companies merge with entrepreneurial ventures in the fast-paced quick commerce industry.

The debate over India's gig economy has intensified as former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant strongly defended the sector against exploitation allegations, following nationwide strikes by gig workers. The controversy has now escalated with Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha launching a sharp attack on Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal for characterizing striking workers as "miscreants."

Chadha's Sharp Criticism of Platform Response

Raghav Chadha condemned Zomato's response to the worker strikes, particularly targeting Goyal's characterization of delivery workers as "0.10% miscreants" behind strike-related disruptions. In a strongly-worded social media post, Chadha stated that "workers asking for fair pay are not criminals" and criticized platforms for turning "a labour demand into a law & order narrative."

Chadha argued that if platforms need police intervention to keep workers operational during peak periods, it represents "an admission the system doesn't work" rather than proof of success.

Kant's Defense of Gig Economy Model

Amitabh Kant characterized criticism of the gig economy as "political, not factual," arguing that objections come from people "who have not created a single job." He emphasized the sector's massive job creation potential, noting significant projected growth.

Kant warned that politicizing the gig economy could "hurt quick commerce, destroy jobs and push workers back into the informal sector with no rights and no safety." He specifically criticized AAP and Raghav Chadha, calling them "job killers" rather than job creators.

Platform Performance During Strikes

Despite the strikes, Zomato reported record performance during peak periods. Over 4.50 lakh delivery partners across Zomato and Blinkit achieved orders worth ₹75.00 lakh, demonstrating continued platform operations during the protest period. Platforms including Swiggy, Zomato and Magicpin reportedly saw significant order surges with negligible impact from the strikes.

Goyal emphasized that workers receive comprehensive benefits including insurance schemes, period rest days for women, income tax return filing support, pension scheme access, and emergency SOS services.

Escalating Political Tensions

The exchange between Chadha and industry leaders highlights deepening political divisions over gig economy practices. Chadha's latest comments represent a significant escalation in rhetoric, moving from policy criticism to direct confrontation with platform leadership.

Industry-Wide Implications

The debate reflects deeper tensions within India's expanding gig economy as it balances rapid growth with worker welfare concerns. The escalating rhetoric between political leaders and platform executives indicates that resolution may require more structured dialogue between stakeholders.

Expert analysis suggests the controversy encompasses fundamental questions about value distribution, worker rights, and sustainable business models in India's digital economy era. The characterization of workers and their demands has become a central flashpoint in determining the future direction of gig economy regulation and worker protections.