The Aam Aadmi Party chief said he would write to the Prime Minister on this (File)
Billing at as a way to improve India's economic situation, AAP boss Arvind Kejriwal today urged PM Narendra Modi to bring out new currency notes with images of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh.
"On Indian currency there is a photo of Gandhi ji; let that be. On the other side, a photo of Shri Ganesh Ji and Lakshmi ji should be added," said the Delhi Chief Minister, whose party is seen to be appealing to the Hindutva voter base of the BJP ahead of elections in PM Modi's home state Gujarat.
"As I said we have to make a lot of effort to improve the economic situation of our country. Our efforts bear fruit when we have the blessings of Gods and Goddesses. The whole country will get blessings if on currency notes, there is a photo of Ganesh Ji and Lakshmi ji on one side and Gandhi ji on other side," he said.
Lakshmi is the goddess of prosperity and Lord Ganesh removes hurdles, said Mr Kejriwal. "I am not saying change all notes. But all the fresh notes issued every month should have their images."
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief referred to Indonesia, a Muslim nation that has a picture of Lord Ganesh on its currency note. "When Indonesia can, why can't we?" Lord Ganesh's image is printed on the 20,000 rupiah note of Indonesia.
He said the country was facing a "delicate" situation with the rupee depreciating against the US dollar.
Mr Kejriwal's suggestion came just ahead of elections in Himachal and the municipal polls in Delhi, where too the AAP -- buoyed by its Punjab win early this year -- is hoping to unseat the BJP and eventually become the main rival to the BJP, sidelining the Congress.
The BJP scoffed at Mr Kejriwal's comments and called it his "latest U-turn".
"He is doing political drama to divert people's attention from the flaws of his government and the anti-Hindu mindset of the Aam Aadmi Party. What Kejriwal has said in his press conference is another extension of his U-turn politics. His hypocrisy is on show," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told reporters.
Another BJP leader, Lok Sabha member Manoj Tiwari, alleged, "Their (AAP) minister, Gujarat chief and leaders have abused Hindu gods and said many things. Yet, they are still in the party. They're introducing new tactics to save face." He accused the AAP of having opposed the Ram Temple at Ayodhya.
The Congress called Mr Kejriwal's demand "vote politics".
"Arvind Kejriwal is B-team of BJP. He doesn't have any understanding. It is his vote politics. If he goes to Pakistan, he can also say that I am Pakistani, so vote for me," said Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit.