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Monogrammed Modi suit to be auctioned; officials say funds will be used to clean Ganges river

Associated Press
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In this Jan.25, 2015 photo, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wears a dark pinstriped suit with his name monogrammed in dull gold stripes during a reception to U.S. President Barack Obama in New Delhi, India. The suit which became controversial after its photographs went viral on social media was to be auctioned in his home state of Gujarat, over the next three days starting Wednesday, Feb.18, 2015 officials said. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das) (The Associated Press)

In this Jan.25, 2015 photo, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wears a dark pinstriped suit with his name monogrammed in dull gold stripes during a reception to U.S. President Barack Obama in New Delhi, India. The suit which became controversial after its photographs went viral on social media was to be auctioned in his home state of Gujarat, over the next three days starting Wednesday, Feb.18, 2015 officials said. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das) (The Associated Press)

In this Jan.25, 2015 file photo, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, wears a dark pinstriped suit with his name monogrammed in dull gold stripes as he poses for the media with U.S. President Barack Obama in New Delhi, India. The suit which became controversial after its photographs went viral on social media was to be auctioned in his home state of Gujarat, over the next three days starting Wednesday, Feb.18, 2015 officials said. (AP Photo/Press Trust of India) INDIA OUT (The Associated Press)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's controversial pinstripe suit embroidered with his name is being auctioned in his home state of Gujarat.

Officials say the money collected from auctioning the suit and hundreds of other gifts received by the prime minister would be used to clean up the heavily polluted Ganges River.

Modi wore the dark pinstriped suit during the visit of U.S. President Barack Obama to India last month. Photographs of the suit showing Modi's name monogrammed in dull gold stripes went viral on social media.

Opposition leaders attacked Modi for his extravagance in wearing a suit that was estimated to cost more than 1 million rupees ($16,000).

Gujarat official Milind Toravane said the suit and other items were likely to be auctioned on Wednesday.