Two years of Modi govt: Congress hits out at Amitabh Bachchan for hosting PM's anniversary
The Congress on Wednesday questioned Centre's decision of selecting super star Amitabh Bachchan to host its show marking two years of the NDA government and said the step might send wrong signals to Multi Agency Group (MAG) probing Panama paper leaks.
"We have no objection to Amitabh Bachchan hosting the NDA programme, but what signal will it send to investigation agencies," said Congress leader Randeep Surjewala, while addressing a press conference. event
According to reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a nod to Bachchan's selection after he had a detailed meeting with Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
Bachchan's name featured in the Panama Papers.
However, Amitabh Bachchan clarified to Times Now that that it would be actor R Madhavan, and not him, who would host the event.
First, records from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca showed Bachchan served as director of four offshore shipping companies - an allegation he denied. Later, more damning records emerged that suggested that the actor attended the companies' board meetings via telephone conference.
According to several media reports, Bachchan will host a five-hour-long show on May 28 to highlight the achievements of the Narendra Modi government in the last two years at the iconic India Gate.
However, he said 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 told Times Now, pointing out that he was also a United Nations Ambassador for the Girl Child.
The event is likely to comprise talk shows over the government's achievements, interspersed with cultural programmes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend the function.
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