Telangana BJP unit, in their over enthusiasm to appease Chandra Babu Naidu, seems to have shot themselves in the foot.
Across the country, several leaders, intellectuals, journalists and civil society representatives severely condemned the irresponsible statements of BJP MLA K Lakshman on Sania Mirza.
Union I & B Minister Prakash Javadekar said “Sania Mirza has an international standing of her own,we have no problem, actually she is brand ambassador of India”
Even senior BJP leader MM Joshi said, “If someone is calling Sania Mirza the daughter-in-law of Pakistan, then it reflects his culture.”
TRS leader K Kavita Rao said that the state should be allowed to decide on its brand ambassador. She said, “The BJP should do something constructive. We have the people’s mandate, so we should be allowed to decide who our state ambassador should be.”
Biju Janata Dal leader Jay Panda also spoke in favour of Sania. He said, “Wherever she may have married but she is an Indian citizen and this should be respected.”
Kiran Bedi said “Sania Mirza is a daughter of India. She has brought innumerable laurels to the country in the game of Tennis. She is a brand ambassador!” in a Twitter Message.
Mayawati said “We should welcome Telangana Govt’s decision of choosing Sania Mirza as its brand ambassador”
In a related development, Sania Mirza herself revealed that here family resided in Telangana since several generations. She informed the media about her grandfather, who has worked in the Nizam administration.