Big B ducks Cong bouncer on hosting govt jamboree

Soon after the Congress alleged that Bachchan would host the bash to celebrate Modi government’s two years in power, the latter clarified that it would be actor R Madhavan, and not him, who would host the event.

The Congress had aimed not only at the NDA government but also the senior Bachchan when it questioned the propriety of having BigB as the host. 

“We have no objection if the Prime Minister participates in any sort of a programme with Amitabh Bachchan,” said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.

“But there is one thing to keep in mind. When there is an investigation into an individual for black money, and the PM takes part in a programme hosted by that individual, what sort of a message does it send to the investigation agencies? There is a need to keep this in mind,” Surjewala added.

The comment was in reference to the presence of Amitabh Bachchan’s name in the Panama Papers leak, alleging that he was illicitly stashing black money in overseas accounts.

However, Amitabh Bachchan told a private news channel that he was only hosting a small segment of the programme on the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme of the Centre, for which he is the brand ambassador.

“I don’t think they (Congress) are aware that I am not hosting the event. I have been invited as the brand ambassador of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign. It is up to the government to decide whether to have me there or not,” the senior Bachchan said while pointing out that he was also a United Nations Ambassador for the Girl Child.

The Congress’s charge was met with derision by the BJP. “I think this shows the Congress has completely lost the plot,” BJP spokesperson Shaina NC said.

The two-year anniversary programme of the NDA government is set to take place on May 28 at the India Gate and is set to feature a number of prominent faces from Bollywood. The Prime Minister and most of his ministerial colleagues are expected to attend the event to mark the second anniversary of the government. 

The government is organising the event — ‘Zara Muskura Do’ (Smile Please) — which will have several performances and programmes highlighting its “achievements”. Various schemes and programmes, particularly Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Digital India and Rural Electrification, will be highlighted during the show. 

Programmes to mark the completion of Modi government’s second year in office will also be held in various other cities.

The government had formed a panel of ministers, headed by Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and comprising Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, to supervise preparations for the show.