New Delhi/Surat: A Surat-based textile businessman bid a whopping `1.21 crore in an auction on Wednesday for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s controversial pinstripe monogrammed bandhgala suit that he wore during US President Barack Obama's visit to India last month.

Up for auction were also two of Mr Modi’s T-shirts, including one gifted to him by Cricket Australia during his visit there last November. The T-shirts were among 237 clothes and textile items being put up for auction.

In New Delhi, the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and the Trinamul took potshots at the PM’s move to put his monogrammed bandhgala on the block, and said it was a “damage control” exercise. The BJP hit back, saying such attacks reflected falling standards of Congress’ politics, and attacked Rahul Gandhi for his “clouded image” of seeing only the exterior and not the PM’s actions and deeds. In Surat, 455 items Mr Modi got as gifts in his nearly nine-month tenure were put for auction to generate funds for the PM’s ambitious ‘Clean Ganga Mission’.

Rajesh Juneja submitted a written bid offering `1.21 crore for Mr Modi’s navy blue suit, which was the star attraction at the three-day auction that opened on Wednesday. Some reports said the suit had cost nearly `10 lakh.

Mr Juneja, who emerged as the highest bidder for the suit on day one, said to news agencies, “I like Mr Modi’s hardwork, confidence and that is why he is my role model.” “I want to keep the suit as a souvenir. If the bid goes up a little further, I will match it. But, if it goes up steeply, then I will think about proceeding further,” he added.