A row had earlier erupted over Mr Bachchan’s participation in the second anniversary celebrations of NDA government with Congress targeting him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the light of the megastar’s name figuring in Panama Papers expose.
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The Congress on Thursday described the two years of the Narendra Modi government as disappointing because it had failed on all fronts, including in reviving the economy.
The actor said he will only host a small segment of the programme based on the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, of which he is the brand ambassador.
Bachchan had steadfastly denied any role in the Panama leaks and maintained that his name was misused. “In fact, it is Madhavan who is hosting it”, Bachchan told the media here.
They claimed that what the country had witnessed in the last two years was just “empty promises and gimmicks” and dubbed Modi government as “most disappointing” ruling dispensation since Independence. I am attached to a campaign which is called “Beti Bachao Beti Badhao” and that is the segment that I am hosting.
“He (Amitabh Bachchan) is not hosting any political event”.
He further said that the actor has denied charges and he may be proved innocent, but what message was the Prime Minister trying to send.
The actor’s son Abhishek Bachchan also hit back, saying his father is only part of a function where he is talking about educating the girl child.
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, former Union Minister Kapil Sibal as also Surjewala hit out at the Modi government at a joint news conference in Delhi.
“We have no objection to Amitabh Bachchan hosting the NDA programme, but what signal will it send to investigation agencies?” said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.
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“I think a man of his stature would definitely benefit the occasion”.
