NCP raises eyebrows over two brand ambassadors for tiger project

MUMBAI: Against the backdrop of Maharashta government requesting cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood mega star Amitabh Bachchan to work for the cause of tigers in the state, NCP leader Sachin Ahir today expressed reservations over two brand ambassadors for a single project.

Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar had earlier said that he had written to the two icons seeking their involvement in the government's efforts to save big cats and promote tourism in the tiger sanctuaries.

Bachchan had accepted the proposal and communicated his consent to Mungantiwar through a letter.

Sachin had also written to the minister on August 13 expressing his desire to work for the cause of tigers.

However, NCP's Mumbai unit president Sachin Ahir today alleged that Bachchan was requested to be the brand ambassador of the tiger project to please the BJP's political bosses.

Since Tendulkar was born in Mumbai, he should have been the first choice for the project, Ahir said.

"There have never been two brand ambassadors for one project. It seems that one ambassador has been appointed to please the people of the state and the other to please the BJP's political bosses," the NCP leader told reporters here.

"Sachin was born in Mumbai and if he was made the first option to promote the cause, it would have been better," he said.