Bhujbal downplays Big B-sealink controversy

Downplaying the controversy over presence of megastar Amitabh Bachchan during inauguration of the second phase of the Bandra-Worli sea link, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal today said there is no difference of opinion in the state government over the issue.

"There is no difference of opinion in the state government over the issue. The PWD minister (public undertakings) had invited Bachchan for the programme like other invitees. The sealink was inaugurated by the Chief Minister," Bhujbal informed the Legislative Council.

The row surrounding Bachchan's presence in the programme found its resonance in the Legislative Council also, as Opposition Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe raised the issue.

She said the media reported the incident and the House members would like to know what happened.

Objecting to Gorhe, Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap said there are other topics on the poor and the downtrodden in the state to be discussed in the House.

Is the Bachchan issue so important to be debated here, he asked.

Sena MLC Kiran Pawaskar said "after 26/11 terror attacks, the then chief minister lost his post for taking along Bollywood director Ram Gopal Verma (to survey damage in Taj hotel). We are worried that Chavan should not meet the same fate due to Bachchan".