Shabbir Ali seeks action against VHR for anti-Sania remarks

Deputy CLP leader in Telangana Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Friday slammed his own party MP V Hanumantha Rao for criticising Tennis Star Sania Mirza's appointment as Telangana's brand ambassador.

Speaking to media persons at the Congress Legislature Party office here, Shabbir Ali informed that he had written a letter to AICC President Sonia Gandhi seeking action against VHR for creating controversies over avoidable issues. He said VHR's opposition to Sania Mirza resembled like his support to BJP and RSS ideology of plain opposition of Muslim players. He said by making such comments, VHR was trying to defame the Congress party among the minorities. Stating that the Congress party has suffered enough damage in recent elections, he asked Sonia Gandhi to restrict VHR from making such controversial statements.

Shabbir Ali also ridiculed the BJP and VHR for questioning as to why Sania Mirza could be made brand ambassador as she was born in Mumbai. He said neither Amitabh Bachchan was born in Gujarat, nor Shah Rukh was born in Kolkatta. However, both are serving as Brand Ambassadors of Gujarat and West Bengal. He said it was common for the governments to sign celebrities as their ambassadors. However, by giving communal touch to such appointments, the parties like BJP and leaders like VHR were exhibiting their narrow mindedness, he said.