Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Avadhut Wagh. Photo Credit: Twitter Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Avadhut Wagh.

Mumbai: Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Avadhut Wagh has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the "11th incarnation" of Lord Vishnu, prompting ridicule from the Congress. "Hon PM @narendramodi ji is the 11th #Avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu (sic)," state BJP spokesperson Avadhut Wagh tweeted.

The country is fortunate that we have got a god-like leader in Modi, Wagh told a Marathi news channel. Attacking Wagh, state Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said it was an "insult" to the gods and added that it was a feeble attempt by Wagh to find lost political ground. “I do not think this (comment) needs to be given much importance," he stated.

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The remark was reflective of the "low level of culture" within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Londhe said. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Jitendra Awhad also took a jibe at Wagh.

"Wagh is an engineering graduate from VJTI. There is a need now to check if his certificate (degree) is genuine. This was not expected from him," he told reporters in Mumbai.

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This is not the first time that PM Modi has been compared to a divine figure. In May, controversial BJP MLA Surendra Singh had called the PM a reincarnation of Lord Ram and added that he along with the party president Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will fulfill the dream of ‘Ram Rajya’. Comparing BJP President Amit Shah as Laxman and as Chanakya the BJP leader said that now Brahmachari Hanuman in the form of UP CM Yogi Adityanath has also arrived.