'Those who abused Gods...': BJP slams Arvind Kejriwal over appeal to put Ganesh-Laxmi pictures on notes

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari on Wednesday lashed out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over his appeal to the Centre of including images of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi on currency notes to improve the economic situation of the country.

Speaking at a press conference, Tiwari alleged that AAP leaders have abused Hindu Gods and Goddesses in the past. "Their (AAP) party leaders, the party's Gujarat state unit president and AAP ministers have abused Hindu Gods and Goddesses and have said many things but they are still in their party. Now, what will they do in upcoming polls? So for their face-saving, they are coming up with new conspiracies. Those who objected to Ram Mandir have come with a new mask," Tiwari said.

"On one side they abuse Hindu Gods and on the other hand they are coming in poll time saying such things," he said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider including the images of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh on currency notes in India to "improve the economic situation of the country".

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"Today I appeal to the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Indian currency there is a photo of Gandhi ji, let that be, on the other side of currency, a photo of Shri Ganesh Ji and Lakshmi ji should be put," said Kejriwal.

He added further, "As I said we have to make a lot of effort to improve the economic situation of our country. But also with that, we need blessings from 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."

"If Indonesia can do it; choose Ganesh Ji, so can we... I will write to the centre tomorrow or the day after tomorrow to appeal for it... we need the almighty`s blessings apart from the efforts to settle the economic condition of the country," Kejriwal said.

Lord Ganesha is inscribed on the 20,000 rupiah note of Indonesia. India's foreign exchange reserves during the week that ended on October 14 fell to an over two-year low of USD 528.367 billion, a drop of USD 4.5 billion from the previous week.

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In the preceding week, the country`s foreign exchange reserves were at USD 532.868 billion, RBI data showed. According to RBI`s data, India's foreign currency assets, which are the biggest component of the forex reserves, declined by USD 2.828 billion to USD 468.668 billion during the week.

The value of gold reserves dropped by USD 1.5 billion to USD 37.453 billion during the week.The value of India's Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) with the International Monetary Fund declined by USD 149 million to USD 17.433 billion during the week under review, the RBI data showed.

The reserves have been falling for months now because of RBI's likely intervention in the market to defend the depreciating rupee against a surging US dollar.For the record, the Indian rupee has been weakening over the past few weeks to hit fresh new all-time lows as the US dollar strengthened against major global currencies.

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