New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has courted a controversy after urging Durga Puja committees to place Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph “near the feet of Goddess Durga” and “get him blessings for his long life and health”.

Gupta had made the request on Saturday (September 6) while requesting Durga Puja and Ramleela organisers to be part of the government’s ‘Sewa Pakhwada’ which will commence on Modi’s birthday on September 17, reported Indian Express.

Gupta had also announced that the Delhi government will provide free electricity up to 1,200 units to Ramleela and Durga Puja committees. The other promises made by the chief minister included better security arrangements and a proper place for immersion of idols.

“Hamare Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi ji ka janamdin bhi hai 17 September ko. Hum chahte hai iss baar Dilli unke janamdin ko Sewa Pakhwada ke roop mai manaye. Toh 17 September se lekar 2 October tak, Dilli mai anekon seva ke kaam kiye jayenge. Main ye chahti hoon ki hamare Durga puja ke pandalon mai bhi din ke samaye aap koi na koi… seva ka kaam jaroor janta ke liye kijiye. Adarniya Pradhan Mantri ki lambi aayu aur swastha ke liye, zaroor wahan pe unki tasveer Ma ke charno ke paas laga kar unko ashirwaad zaroor dilaiye. (Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday is also on September 17. We want that this time Delhi celebrates his birthday as a Seva Pakwada. So, from September 17 to October 2, many works of service will be done in Delhi. I want that you also do some act of service in Durga Puja pandals during the day. For the PM’s long life and health, definitely place his photo near the Ma’s feet and get him blessings),” Gupta had said while speaking to Durga puja committee members.

Gupta’s statement was slammed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with the party’s Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj alleging that the BJP wanted to buy “Bengali pride”.

“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,” said Bhardwaj.

However, the Rejecting Bharadwaj’s allegations as “political opportunism”, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said, “Delhiites are well aware how Kejriwal government forced various Puja Samitis to put up banners and portraits of Kejriwal, 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 PM’s good health.”

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.