Our Correspondent
Modi bigger brand than Mahatma Gandhi, says Haryana Minister Anil Vij
In worst ever attack on Father of Nation, Haryana Minister Anil Vij on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a bigger brand name than Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.
“It was a right decision to remove Gandhi from the calendar, “Vij said referring to the controversy over using pictures of the Prime Minister instead of Gandhi in the latest calendar released by Khadi and Village Industries Commission. “Khadi is not patented under Gandhi’s name” he said.
“Ever since Mahatma Gandhi’s name has been on the rupee note, it has devalued… Slowly Mahatma Gandhi will disappear from the notes,” the Haryana minister claimed.
He also said that it is good that Mahatma Gandhi’s image has been removed from the calendar as PM Modi is a better brand than the father of the nation. “Ever since Mahatma Gandhi’s name has been associated with Khadi, Khadi has not been able to make any progress. The sale of Khadi products went down… Removing Gandhi and placing Modi’s photo (on the khadi calendar) is a good step. Modi is a much better brand name. Since Modi’s photo (on the khadi calendar) the sale of khadi products has gone up by 14 per cent,” Mr Vij said.
However, after backlash from the opposition, he withdrew his comments, but said it is his personal view.
Vij gave the statement in connection with the new Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC) calendar featuring Modi, which has created a political uproar.
Congress party has termed Haryana Minister Anil Vij comments on Mahatama Gandhi as highly ‘objectionable’ and ‘nonsensical’.
Talking to media, AICC media incharge Randeep Surjewala said, “one can only expect such kind of objectionable and nonsensical statements from BJP’s leaders and ministers.
