The Congress's charges came a day before the Modi government's second anniversary, for which the NDA government has planned elaborate programmes spread over 15 days.
The Congress on Wednesday questioned the Narendra Modi government's decision to rope in actor Amitabh Bachchan for hosting a mega show in Delhi on Saturday to celebrate the NDA government's two years in power, against the backdrop of the Panama Papers controversy.
The Congress's charges came a day before the Modi government's second anniversary, for which the NDA government has planned elaborate programmes spread over 15 days.
Bachchan, however, responded quickly over twitter, saying he is not hosting the entire show, but just a segment on Beti Bachao Beti Padhao --a flagship programme of the Modi government on girl children. Bachchan's statement was confirmed by sources in the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry.
"We want to question Modiji...he promised to bring back black money, promised to punish each person who was involved. Would it not send a wrong message to all investigative agencies when a person accused of money laundering is seen hosting a program to celebrate two years of the Modi government?" asked Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.
"He has denied charges and he may be proved innocent, but what message is the PM sending?" he asked.
The BJP's Shahnawaz Hussain attacked the Congress calling its allegationas are a result of the frustration over losing the recent assembly elections.
"Big B is a superstar and that people love him. The people of India love Big B more than Rahul Gandhi. The Congress does not need show its jealousy,"he said.
Bachchan – who shares a good rapport with the BJP government and has featured in many government advertisements -- had figured last month on a list of rich and powerful Indians in a worldwide leak of tax documents on offshore companies which came to be known as the Panama Papers. Another Income Tax investigation is pending on him.
Bachchan was also in the thick of controversy last year, after there were reports on him charging Rs6.31 crore for endorsing Doordarshan's new TV channel for farmers --DD Kisan --launched last year.
Bachchan had denied all charges. About the Panama Papers, he knew about the companies linked to him and said his name was "misused".
About the DD Kisan controversy, he said he would endorse the channel for free.
The I&B ministry had ordered an inquiry into the transactions, but sources said, nothing substantial was found against the actor.
Bachchan was supposed to part of the live show scheduled on Saturday evening from Delhi's India Gate, that will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as other Bollywood stars.
As part of the show, the top Union ministers will hold panel discussions on their departments.
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