PM bigger brand than Mahatma, says minister

Haryana minister sparks new controversy over the Father of the Nation

A Haryana minister yesterday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a “bigger brand” than Mahatma Gandhi but later retracted his statement coming under severe criticism.
Congress hit out at Anil Vij saying his comment was “reprehensible and also defames Mahatma Gandhi”.
“Anil Vij’s comment is reprehensible because it goes to tell you that the BJP is indulging in a personality cult creation at the cost of even defaming the Father of the Nation. This is a fascist mindset and propaganda,” said Congress spokesman Sanjay Jha.
Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party came under attack a day earlier after Mahatma’s photo was replaced with that of the prime minister in the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) calendar.
However Vij, who is known for his controversial comments, including on the BJP and its leadership, said yesterday that now Gandhi’s picture would also be removed from currency notes.
While the Congress slammed the mindset of the BJP minister, the party distanced itself from the comment saying his “views could be personal”.
Vij, Haryana’s health and sports minister later tweeted: “The comments on Mahatma Gandhi are personal. I am withdrawing this so that it does not hurt anyone’s sentiments.”
However, he did not offer any apology.
Vij said from the time Mahatma Gandhi’s name was associated with Khadi (movement), it had failed. “Gandhi’s name is not patented with Khadi.”
“It’s good that Modi’s photo replaced that of Gandhi’s in the calendar,” Vij said.
The minister did not stop there.
“Mahatma Gandhi’s name is such that from the day his picture was pasted on the (currency) note, the note got devalued. It is good that they (KVIC) removed Gandhi’s photo and put Modi’s. Modi is a much better brand. Khadi sales have increased by 14% after putting Modi’s photo,” he said.
Asked why Mahatma’s photographs were still printed on new currency notes issued under the Modi government, Vij said: “They will be removed slowly.”
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar also distanced himself from Vij’s comments.
The controversy started with Modi’s picture spinning the charkha appeared on the cover page of the KVIC calendar and diary, instead of the iconic picture of Gandhi weaving Khadi on a simple charkha, wearing his trademark loin cloth.
The opposition Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) demanded withdrawal of the calendar and diary.
The great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Tushar Gandhi, also attacked Modi in a series of tweets.
Demanding that a new set of KVIC calendars and diaries be printed with Mahatma Gandhi’s photos, NCP Mumbai president Sachin Ahir said: “The NCP strongly condemns this blatant act and demands an apology from the PM. These calendars and diaries must be withdrawn immediately and printed afresh with the pictures of the Father of the Nation.”