New Delhi: Presence of a lotus image on the G20 logo, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sparked a political slugfest on Wednesday as the Congress accused the BJP of promoting its poll symbol while the ruling party claimed its rival was denigrating India's national flower.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said it was shocking that the BJP's election symbol (lotus) was part of the G20 logo, alleging the prime minister and his party would not lose any opportunity to promote themselves.
The BJP hit back, saying the lotus was declared the national flower in 1950 by the then Congress government and asked why the grand old party chooses to "denigrate and undermine" every national symbol.
It said the Congress' stand was an "insult" to Hinduism as the flower is associated with deities Lakshmi and Saraswati.
The attack by the opposition party came a day after Modi unveiled the logo,
theme and website for India's upcoming presidency of the grouping.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the G20 logo draws inspiration from the vibrant colours of India's national flag saffron, white and green, and blue. It juxtaposes planet Earth with the lotus, India's national flower, reflecting growth amid challenges.
"Over 70 years ago, Nehru rejected the proposal to make Congress flag the flag of India. Now, BJP's election symbol has become (the) official logo for India's presidency of G20!" Ramesh tweeted.
"While shocking, we know by now that Mr Modi & BJP won't lose any opportunity to promote themselves shamelessly!" Ramesh said.
Hitting back at him, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the lotus was declared the national flower in 1950 by the then Congress government and Ramesh was born in 1954.
"God alone knows why the Congress party chooses to denigrate & undermine every national symbol even as it is desperately out to 'jodo' (unite) itself," Puri said.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also attacked the Congress over its criticism, saying the national flower also happens to be the 'aasan' (seat) of Goddess Lakshmi.