Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 97-year-old mother Hiraben today visited a bank in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar to exchange her currency notes.

‘Leading by example‘. ‘Exemplary’. This is how some on Twitter and in media described the move even as we wondered what the real point of the visit was. Was it meant to be a message to those who have been standing in lines and complaining?

Whether Hiraben visited the bank simply out of curiosity or genuine need is not known. But critics came down hard on Modi calling the move a political gimmick, criticising the prime minister for “pushing” her aged mother into doing this.

‘Photo-op’. ‘Using mother as political prop’. Here’s how Modi’s rivals and critics panned the move

Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi CM tweeted:

Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha launched a scathing attack:

Some other users also questioned Modi over his mother’s visit: