BJP wants Big B as face of CWG, Kalmadi says no

New Delhi, Mar 30: Indian Olympic Association Suresh Kalmadi has rejected Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) suggestion to appoint Amitabh Bachchan as the ambassador of the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2010.

According to a report in Zee News Kalmadi, who is also the Commonwealth Games chief, said that the Bollywood actor will not be the face of CWG 2010.

The CWG committee is also reportedly looking for a new brand ambassador.

Speaking to Zee, BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra questioned Kalmadi's authority to take such a decision. Calling it an unfortunate development, Malhotra also hinted at political motives.

In a letter to Kalmadi, Malhotra, who is also the Indian Olympic Association senior vice-president, had earlier suggested that the star status of Amitabh Bachchan could prove beneficial for the games if he was chosen the brand ambassador.

"...the appointment of brand ambassador for Commonwealth Games 2010 is going to be very crucial because they will be looked upon as the best and brightest of the country... I suggest Shri Amitabh Bachchan should be appointed as the main brand ambassador of Commonwealth Games," the BJP leader had said.

This also comes in the backdrop of the recent controversy over the Congress objecting to the presence of Amitabh Bachchan, who is the brand ambassador of the BJP-ruled Gujarat, at the inauguration of the second phase of Bandra Worli sea link. BJP backed the Bollywood actor in this row.

OneIndia News