Brand new controversy over Telangana Brand Ambassador

Hyderabad: As if India lacks controversy – feeding the fasting and injudicious judicial appointments – yet another controversy has just surfaced. It’s all about the just nominated Telangana Brand Ambassador Sania Mirza.

She is the daughter of Telangana, says Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, who appointed her the state’s Brand Ambassador. No, she is the daughter-in-law of Pakistan, says BJP’s K Laxman.

In a dramatic turn of event, Telangana Congress leader Hanumanta Rao said, “We oppose Sania Mirza being made the Telangana Brand Ambassador. She hasn’t done anything for the Telangana state. She married a Pakistani national.”

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari described Laxman’s comment against Sania Mirza as “bizarre”. 

Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi promptly hit out at the political parties.”When a daughter gets married she does not disconnect her roots, just as a son does not! Grow up people! Sania now is pride for India and Pakistan!” tweeted Bedi.

Sania was born in Maharashtra but settled in Hyderabad. Hence she is a “non-local”, Laxman told reporters. Further, she is married to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik. The 27-year-old tennis player has not participated in the Telangana agitation, he added.

 “I will always be an Indian, till the end of my life,” said Sainia reacting to the criticism against her.

The Chief Minister on Tuesday handed over a grant of Rs 1 crore, proclaiming her as Brand Ambassador of Telangana. A jubilant Sania expressed her happiness on Twitter, “Honoured and humbled to be the first brand ambassador for the state of Telangana.”

“Telangana is proud of Sania who is a true Hyderabadi, declared the Chief Minister.