Congess seeks inquiry into auction of PM Modi's monogrammed suit

Congress on Sunday demanded an inquiry into the high-profile auction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monogrammed pinstripe suit, which went under the hammer for a whopping Rs 4.31 crore, saying Modi is "answerable" by the same logic wherein he had questioned the sale of paintings made by TMC chief Mamata Banerjee last year.

Raising questions over the auctioning of the two-piece ensemble, Ahmed Patel, the political secretary to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, said Modi in his role as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate had questioned the sale of paintings made by the West Bengal CM, reportedly for Rs 1.80 crore.

Patel also attacked Modi over the latter's pet 'Clean Ganga Mission', saying some leaders are using it as a "ruse" to "cleanse their own stained image in long run".

"I don't want to make any personal comment against anyone. But, I remember that he questioned the auction of Mamata Banerjee's painting earlier. Thus, same should be applied to him now. There must an inquiry into the auction and against the person who bought the suit," Patel said during his interaction with media here without taking Modi's name.

The navy-blue bandhgala suit with Narendra Damodardas Modi embroidered on the fabric to look like golden stripes was bought by Lalji Patel, a diamond trader from Surat, and his son following an intense bidding on Friday.

The suit was worn by Modi for Summit talks with US President Barack Obama in New Delhi on January 25.

Patel was here to unveil a bronze statue of Indulal Yagnik alias Indu Chacha who led the 'Maha Gujarat' movement for separate Gujarat during late 1950's. The statue has been installed near the ONGC campus in Sabarmati area.

Mocking Modi's pre-poll comment of "56 inch chest", Patel said, "Indu Chacha did not have the 56-inch chest but had will power, zeal and commitment. These are the qualities one should have to do work for people (and) not the 56-inch chest as claimed by some leaders."

Taking a dig at Modi over 'Clean Ganga Mission', where proceeds of the auction will go, Patel said it is a "ruse" by the prime minister to "cleanse" his own image in the long run and to hog the limelight.

"Now a days, leaders are running for limelight. Such fame and publicity do not last long...As their image gets stained in the long run (and) to cleanse their own image they are taking help of Ganga cleaning project," Patel said.

Patel also accused the BJP-led state government of "sidelining" genuine leaders, such as Indu Chacha, and projecting those who have nothing to do with the Maha Gujarat movement.

"Few years back, Gujarat celebrated it's 50th Foundation Day. However, when I was moving towards Gandhinagar from airport, I have not seen a single poster of Indu Chacha.

Instead, I saw posters of those who were just born when Gujarat was created, as if they have contributed in creating this state," Patel said.

Patel was accompanied by Kisan Sabha leader Atul Kumar Anjan, who also accused the Modi-led government of "ignoring" the plight of farmers and favouring industrialists.

"This country belongs to farmers. But, it seems someone is trying to take control of the precious land owned by them.

We are not against industries. But, which industry has the capacity to give employment to 70 per cent of India's population which is dependent on farming," he questioned.