Amitabh is not a terrorist

After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena supreme Bal Thackeray came to the rescue of Amitabh Bachchan over the Bandra Worli Sea Link inauguration controversy. Thackeray defended the Bollywood icon's right to be at the inauguration of the second phase of the sea link in his latest editorial piece in party mouthpiece 'Saamna'.

"Amitabh hasn't committed a crime by attending the event," Thackeray wrote.

He attacked Congress for the stir and slammed the party's attitude alleging that Big B was treated as an 'untouchable'.

"Shah Rukh Khan, who took cudgels on behalf of Pakistanis, will do for Congress, which is allergic to Amitabh," the editorial said.

"Amitabh attending the function only added to the prestige of the event," Thackeray remarked adding that Amitabh was not a terrorist or a dacoit. The row triggered off when Amitabh Bachchan showed up at the ceremony, in which Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan was slated to carry out the inauguration.

A faction of Mumbai Congress leaders took offence to the presence of the actor, who is the brand ambassador for Gujarat under Narendra Modi's BJP government.

"Amitabh is targeted because he is brand ambassador of Gujarat. Ambani and Tata who live in Mumbai have invested heavily in Gujarat. Will anyone from Congress ask them why were they investing in Narendra Modi's Gujarat," Sena chief said.

Earlier, Sena's ally in the state, BJP also defended Big B and alleged that he was just a victim of a feud in Congress and the fear of the Gandhi family.