Kejriwal accuses PM Modi of "openly endorsing" Reliance

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi today calling him "Mr Reliance" after his photo appeared in the company's advertisements and accused him of "openly endorsing" its Jio telecom services launched yesterday.

Mr Kejriwal's jibe at PM Modi, including a sarcastic advice to "keep modelling for Reliance", came on a day the Mukesh Ambani-led group's advertisements appeared across newspapers.

"Modiji you keep modelling for Reliance ads. Labourers across the country will teach you a lesson in 2019," Mr Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi. "PM as Mr Reliance," he said in another.

"Any more proof required to prove that Modiji is in Ambani's pockets? PM of India openly endorses Reliance product," Mr Kejriwal said in more tweets.

Reliance, through its ads, dedicated the Jio 4G service to the Modi government's flagship Digital India project.

During its launch yesterday, Mr Ambani had said "Jio will fulfil Digital India dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

He had also called Jio a "revolutionary" step to realise India's digital ambitions.

Mr Kejriwal has repeatedly attacked PM Modi since becoming Chief Minister of Delhi last year, accusing him of trying to run the capital and persecuting his ministers.

The Congress meanwhile said PM Modi should take action against Reliance Jio if the telecom company has failed to take permission from the PMO for using his photograph.

"There are certain norms for displaying photo of the Prime Minister in an advertisement. As a former Union minister, I am aware that prior permission has to be taken. Had Reliance taken permission from the PM or the PMO?" Congress' leader Ajay Maken said.