Durban: The use of election posters featuring Mahatma Gandhi by South Africa's ruling ANC to woo the 600,000 strong Indian-origin community for next week's elections has triggered a widespread debate.

Those opposed to the African National Congress (ANC) have vehemently criticised the move saying, "Gandhi would not have voted for the ANC," while those supporting the party have drawn historical links between Gandhi and its leaders to justify the use of the pictures.

One poster shows the photos of Gandhi, former President Nelson Mandela and current incumbent Thabo Mbeki with words "peace, freedom and democracy" in an apparent indication that they pursued the same philosophies.

Another depicts the Mahatma's picture and poses a query, "Who would have Gandhi voted for?" and a third one carrying a picture of his granddaughter Ela with the answer, "Gandhi would have voted for the ANC."

Addressing an election rally in the mainly Indian township of Chatsworth at the weekend, the leader of the Opposition Democratic Alliance, Tony Leon, said Gandhi would have had "profound differences with the ANC".

"To use the image of Gandhi as if he were running for public office is ghoulish, partisan and reprehensible. Would Gandhi have approved of a President who threatened to beat his sister, and would spend Rs 50 billion on arms instead of giving the poor a basic grant, have been to his liking?" he asked.