PM Modi, BJP On Warpath Over Minister's 'China Flag On Indian Rocket' Ad

The source of the controversy is the rocket 's red nose, which features four golden stars arced around the right side of a larger fifth star - the same emblem on the Chinese national flag.

A newspaper ad hailing the creation of a second launch pad for India's space agency ISRO - in Tamil Nadu's Kulsekarapatinam - has triggered a furious row after what an image of the Chinese flag figured prominently on the rocket in the poster. The ad was commissioned by Tamil Nadu's Animal Husbandry Minister Anitha Radhakrishnan, who did so in his personal capacity, NDTV was told. This advertisement by DMK Minister Thiru Anita Radhakrishnan to leading Tamil dailies today is a manifestation of DMK's commitment to China & their total disregard for our country's sovereignty.DMK, a party flighing high on corruption, has been desperate to paste stickers ever… pic.twitter.com/g6CeTzd9TZ

Mr Radhakrishnan has been unavailable for comment, but Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi (in whose constituency the ISRO facility will be built) has defended her party. She acknowledged the error - attributed to the artwork designer - and said the issue does not merit the backlash it has received.

The poster itself shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi - who was in the state, one in which his Bharatiya Janata Party has traditionally struggled for votes, this week to drum up support before the general election - and Chief Minister MK Stalin side-by-side, with a rocket in the background.