The Hindu : National : Amitabh need not apologise, says Jaya

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Amitabh need not apologise, says Jaya

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party Member of Parliament Jaya Bachchan on Friday said there was no need for her actor-husband Amitabh Bachchan to apologise for his presence at the inauguration of the last four lanes of the Bandra-Worli sea-link in Mumbai, to which he was invited.

The issue has triggered a controversy with a section of the Congress objecting to the invitation extended to Mr. Bachchan by the Nationalist Congress Party.

Asked about the reported demand from some Congressmen for Mr. Bachchan's apology, she asked: “Who's to apologise? India belongs to all of us. It is not as if States belong to the parties ruling them. He was invited. If somebody invites you, you should go. There is nothing to apologise.”

On Mr. Bachchan sharing the dais with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, she said, “When I hear things like this, I feel as if India is divided and each party owns the State it rules. In a democracy everybody should be free to stand with who they like. Ideology should not come in the way.” In her hour-long interaction with the Indian Women's Press Corps, the actress-turned-politician candidly fielded a variety of questions, including those about her son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya, but sent out a clear signal to the jam-packed hall that she was there primarily to talk about herself and her views, not to give clarifications on her husband. “I am not here to answer for him. Amitabh Bachchan is capable of defending himself. Our family is used to it. It is part of life.”

The MP, who is retiring from the Rajya Sabha in July, said she enjoyed her stint in Parliament but for the hiccup when she was disqualified under the Office of Profit Act. So far she had not been offered any position in the party nor was she tipped to make a come-back to the House of elders on an SP ticket.

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