Amitabh Bachchan says he isn't the host of BJP government’s second anniversary event
R Madhavan will take on that job, he said, while he will present a small segment on the Centre’s ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ scheme.
Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan on Wednesday said he is not going to host the event commemorating the completion of two years of the Bharatiya Janata Party government. He said R Madhavan will host the May 28 celebration instead. Bachchan is “only doing a small segment” on the Centre’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, of which he is the brand ambassador, Times Now reported.
Earlier in the day, Congress questioned how Bachchan could be roped in to host the show when he was named in the Panama Papers leak for offshore assets, and an investigation into that case is still underway. The party accused the veteran actor of trying to gain favour with the Centre to influence agencies looking into the matter. “It is legally, ethically and morally wrong to have ‘Big B’ as the host of the Zara Muskura Do event. By having Bachchan as host, what message is the government trying to send?” Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present at the event, along with other dignitaries and celebrities. State broadcaster Doordarshan will telecast the show live. The programme will revolve around the achievements of the National Democratic Alliance government in the past two years and highlight major schemes and milestones.