Surat/New Delhi: Exquisite rakhis selling every year in the season of Rakshabandhan is no longer news. But there is a new craze in this city of south Gujarat. rakhis made of 22 carat gold, with faces of politicians on them, are selling like hot cakes. And the one that has the face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on it is selling at Rs 50,000 apiece.

“I will tie this rakhi on my brother’s wrist and pray that he becomes as illustrious as Naren’bhai (Narendra Modi) some day,” said Shraddha Shah, a customer in the beeline of hundreds in front of a jewellery store in Surat.

The other rakhis high in public demand sport the faces of Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

“We designed 50 rakhis sporting faces of different politicians. And we sold 47 of these in no time. We have got orders in hundreds that we must deliver before Raksha Bandhan,” said Milan, the owner of the shop.

“Prime Minister Modi, and Chief Ministers Rupani and Adityanath are inspirations. They are doing a lot for the people of the country,” Milan said.

That is not all. Even laddus wrapped in golden foils carrying the image of politicians have sold for Rs 9,000 a kilo in Surat in this season of Rakshabandhan.