Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivra Singh Chouhan was snapped being lifted by policemen across shallow waters during a visit to flood-affected Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday.
The photo, which shows him dressed in smart white trousers and surrounded by an entourage, has prompted criticism from social media users.
Blogger Saroop Chattopadhyay wrote: "Politician with [a] dirty mindset like Shivraj...Shame on #BJP's choice & mentality."
Journalist Sunder Chand chimed in: "It can happen only in India coz the ministers here are super unfit... Ridiculous!"
Then a series of memes began circulating.
At least 40 dead as floods hit India
At least 40 people have died and hundreds of thousands have been evacuated as floods hit vast swathes of central and eastern India.
Disaster management officials said days of heavy rain have caused the Ganges River and its tributaries to rise above the danger mark during the last 48 hours in some 20 districts of the states of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
They said at least 17 people died in Madhya Pradesh, 14 in Bihar and nine in Uttar Pradesh from drowning, electrocution and injuries from house collapses.
Floods occur in many parts of India during the monsoon season, which runs from June through September.
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At least 30 dead in India floods
