Amid a row over objections by Congress workers in Maharashtra to the presence of Amitabh Bachchan at a government function, a senior BJP leader today proposed that the megastar be made the main brand ambassador of the Commonwealth Games in October.
BJP leader VK Malhotra shot off a letter to chairman of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi, saying that Bachchan should be appointed as the main brand ambassador of the sporting event as he is an "icon for the youngsters."
Malhotra is senior vice president of the Indian Olympic Association and an executive board member of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee.
"I suggest that Amitabh Bachchan should be appointed as the main brand ambassador of the Commonwealth Games. Bachchan represents the best of India's mid-age generation and is an icon for the youngsters. He was the brand ambassador of Delhi Asiad, in which he lent his voice and anchored the opening ceremony," Malhotra wrote in his letter.
Malhotra's request comes barely days after a row over Bachchan attending a government function in Mumbai where Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan was also present.
Congress workers in Maharashtra objected to the actor's presence on the dias with Chavan as he is the brand ambassador for BJP-ruled Gujarat.
"I strongly feel that Shri Bachchan be given this honour again. Organising Committee of the Games has already made some brand ambassadors and some more are going to be appointed very soon," he said in the letter.
Malhotra said, however, only those cine stars and sports persons should be appointed who have a clean image and are prepared to do the job without asking for any honorarium.
He also noted that appointment of brand ambassadors for the prestigious event would be "very crucial" as they will be looked upon as the "best and the brightest of the country."
