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The writing has been on the wall for a long time and
insiders have known it for a long time. For reasons
best known to her Sonia Gandhi has been gunning for
Amitabh Bachchan. The latest info is that Income Tax
department issued a notice to Big B when he was in hospital,
demanding Rs 4.5 crore over a disputed income. Bachchan,
perhaps not wanting to add to family’s tension
over his illness, signed the cheque in the ICU. Speculations
are rife about the role of some of the more loyal than
the queen politicians in the capital.
This happened immediately after the embargo on the
news of the star’s illness on Doordarshan. It
is believed to be the handiwork of the same group. I&B
Minister, P R Dasmunshi stepped in only after the media
made news out of this blackout and issued specific instructions
to correct the impression. DD not only covered the news,
it also issued a press release that Bachchan’s
illness was covered 67 times!
A little before that an invitation to Amitabh to be
the Chief Guest at a pageant during IFFI was withdrawn
by the Congress government ruling Goa.
It may be recalled that Congress, during the days
of Mrs Indira Gandhi (specially during Sanjay Gandhi
phase) twisted the arm of film industry. Incidents like
blacklisting of Kishore Kumar on All India Radio and
Doordarshan, banning ‘Kissa Kursi Ka’, harassing
stars opposed to emergency were everyday affair during
early seventies and ended only when Janata Party routed
the Congress. Ironically, at that time Amitabh was so
close to Gandhis that Mrs Gandhi and Rajiv visited him
in the hospital to inquire after his health. Later,
during Rajiv Gandhi’s reign, Bachchan was considered
the second most powerful man in the country till Bofors
Scandal rocked the parliament.
Bachchan resigned under a cloud. Later, after fighting
and winning a court case opposite a newspaper over a
defamation case (arising out of linking his name with
the scandal) he got himself what seemed a clean chit.
This case was fought in UK. In India, he chose to befriend
the press and went on giving long interviews disassociating
him from the allegations. The relationship between Gandhis
and Bachchans seem to have soured after Bachchan advised
Sonia Gandhi not to enter politics. Ignoring his advice,
Sonia entered politics.
Amitabh kept a safe distance and later during the time
he was facing financial crisis, became close to Amar
Singh and Mulayam Singh (Samajwadi Party) who, he has
publicly stated, provided him moral support. Bachchan,
however, never spoke a word against Gandhis chosing
to abide by his policy of avoid controversies. An impulsive
remark of Jaya Bachchan in public about Gandhis not
coming to their rescue when Bachchans were in financial
trouble started a controversy. This was the first time
that anyone from either side had made any comment on
the sensitive issue. Amitabh saved the situation by
describing himself as runk (those who are ruled) and
Gandhis as raja (ruler).
Bachchan survived the crisis in his career, made a
comeback with KBC and a long list of successful films
but avoided flaunting his wealth. This time, for the
first time while celebrating his birthday, sources close
to Bachchan gave details about his wealth and luxurious
life style.
Apparently, someone in Congress has treated it like
Big B has thrown a gauntlet in the ring. IT department’s
demand of Rs 4.5 crore seems to be the answer.
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