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Video Editor: Mohd Irshad Alam
In an unusual appeal, Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday, 26 October, asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to redesign the Indian currency to incorporate pictures of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Laxmi along with Mahatma Gandhi, in a bid to 'boost the Indian economy.'
Addressing the media, Kejriwal said that while efforts need to be taken in full force to strengthen the economy, they will not bear fruit without the blessings of God.
What Exactly Did Kejriwal Say?
Commenting on the state of Indian economy and the weakening of the rupee against the US dollar, Kejriwal said that a lot more efforts need to be taken.
"We need to open new schools and hospitals in large numbers. We need to make the road infrastructure better. Efforts will be fruitful only when we have the blessings of out gods and goddesses. We should take as much efforts as we can, but a lot of times, we see they are fruitless," he said.
"I appeal to PM Modi that the Indian currency has the picture of Gandhi ji on one side, it should remain like that. But on the other side, there should be a picture of Ganesh ji and Laxmi ji. We need efforts to make Indian economy stronger, but we also need the blessings of gods and goddesses," he said.
While Laxmi is the goddess of prosperity, Lord Ganesh is believed to solve all our 'vighans' (problems), Kejriwal said.
"We are not asking for printing fresh currency, but all the new currency that gets printed, this should be implemented. Eventually, the circulation of these notes will increase," he said.
He further said that the Indonesian currency has an image of Lord Ganesh on it. He said that he will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the same in the coming days.
Why Has the BJP Slammed Kejriwal Over the Demand?
Speaking to news agency ANI, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Sambit Patra said that Kejriwal's demand was for Hindu votes ahead of the Assembly elections in Gujarat.
"He is the same man who declined to ever go to Ayodhya's Ram Temple, claiming God won't accept the prayers offered there. He is the same man who laughed and called exodus of Kashmiri Pandits a lie," Patra said.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari also accused Kejriwal of keeping leaders in his party who have insulted Hindu Gods and Goddesses in the past.
"They are bringing in new tactics to save face in polls. Those who objected to Ram Mandir have come with a new mask," Tiwari said in an address to the media.
How Did the Congress React?
Speaking to news agency ANI, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit called the AAP the 'B-team of the BJP'.
"He is the B team of the BJP and the RSS. He doesn't have any understanding. It is vote politics," Dikshit said.
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