Delhi CM sparks row by urging Modi’s photo at Durga’s feet for blessings
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New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has triggered a political storm after urging Durga Puja committees to place Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph “near the feet of Goddess Durga” to “seek blessings for his long life and health.”
Gupta made the appeal on September 6 while asking Durga Puja and Ramleela organisers to participate in the Delhi government’s ‘Sewa Pakhwada’, scheduled from September 17, PM Modi’s birthday, to October 2. She also announced that the government would supply up to 1,200 units of free electricity to Ramleela and Durga Puja committees and promised better security arrangements along with designated spaces for idol immersion.
“Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday is on September 17. We want Delhi to mark it as a ‘Sewa Pakhwada’. From September 17 to October 2, various service activities will take place in Delhi. I request Durga Puja pandals to also do some service work for the public during the day. For the PM’s long life and health, please place his photograph near Maa Durga’s feet and get her blessings,” Gupta told Puja committee members.
The remarks invited sharp criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Its Delhi unit president, Saurabh Bharadwaj, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to “buy Bengali pride” ahead of the festival. “Will Bengali brothers and sisters have to worship PM Modi along with Maa Durga?… 1,200 units of free electricity means the BJP government wants to buy Bengali pride and faith for Rs 12,000,” he alleged.
Rejecting the charge, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor called AAP’s reaction “political opportunism,” recalling how the Kejriwal government “forced” various Puja Samitis to display banners and portraits of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and local MLAs. “It is shocking to see AAP trying to make an issue out of CM Rekha Gupta’s request to religious samitis to pray for the PM’s good health,” Kapoor said.