Congress targets Amitabh Bachchan over Modi government event, actor says he is not hosting it

A bid by the Congress to hit out at the NDA government seemed to backfire on Wednesday. The Congress had taken a pot shot at the Centre over reports that Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan would host the bash to celebrate the Modi government's two years in power. The star however clarified to Times Now that it would be actor R Madhavan , and not him, who would host the event.

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

Surjewala's 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 Times Now 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 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.