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Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan is in hot water over being seen with Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan at the inaugural function of the second phase of Worli-Bandra sealink. Buzz up!Party sources said that the Congress high command has taken note of Bachchan's presence and asked for an explanation from Chavan.Chavan, however, has clarified his stand saying he would have not attended the function, had he known about Bachchan's presence

At the forefront, was the Chief Minister himself. "He's the brand ambassador of another state. We would like to promote our own state. Perhaps I would not have attended the function had I known he would be present," said Ashok Chavan, adding, "I've heard that some people in the Congress are unhappy that Amitabh Bachchan was invited." (Forum: Is Congressmen's resentment appropriate?)

It's the first time in ages that the Congress has reacted so strongly against Bachchan. But why does it dislike him so much? Chavan has indicated that it's because Big B is the brand ambassador for Narendra Modi's Gujarat - and Modi is a political pariah for the party.

It could also be because of his proximity to Amar Singh, another person the congress is wary of. Or given the nature of Congress loyalists, it could even be because Bachchan has had an uneasy equation with the Gandhi family. "I want to clarify that neither the Mumbai Congress nor I was consulted before inviting Amitabh Bachchan," Mumbai Congress President Kripashankar Singh.

One explanation that has been trotted out is that the invites were sent out by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) - a department controlled by the NCP, not the Congress.

"Amitabh Bachchan is the brand ambassador of another state. We would like to promote our own state. Perhaps, I would not have attended the function had I known he would be present," said Chavan, adding that there are reports that some people in the Congress are unhappy about his presence.

Mumbai Congress President Kripashankar Singh said, "I want to clarify that neither the Mumbai Congress nor I was consulted before inviting Amitabh Bachchan."

Amitabh Bachchan is the brand ambassador for Narendra Modi's Gujarat - and Modi is a political pariah for the party.

Meanwhile, Bachchan on Thursday said the controversy over his presence at the function had been 'manufactured' by the media.
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