AMBALA/NEW DELHI: Narendra Modi is a “better brand” than Mahatma Gandhi whose image did not help khadi and led to devaluation of Indian currency, Haryana Minister Anil Vij said today, drawing widespread criticism, with Rahul Gandhi using the comments to attack the Prime Minister, saying even dictators like Hitler and Mussolini were powerful brands.
“Gandhiji’s name has no patent over Khadi. Since Gandhi’s name has been attached with Khadi, it has only gone down. When Gandhi’s image was put on notes, the currency also got devalued,” Vij said.
He was responding to the controversy over Modi’s photo on the calendars and diaries brought out by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for this year.
“It is a good move to replace Gandhi’s image with Modi. Modi is a better brand than Gandhi. With the Modi brand name, Khadi sales increased,” Vij told reporters in Ambala, which he represents in the State assembly.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi assailed Vij for his remarks, which he promptly lapped up to target Modi, whom Congress has been accusing of being autocratic.
“Hitler and Mussolini were also very powerful brands,” Rahul said in a tweet. (AGENCIES)
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