Raza Murad removed as Bhopal Swachchhata Brand Ambassador just 24 hours after appointment

Bhopal: A day after being appointed as the Swachchhata Brand ambassador of Bhopal, veteran Bollywood actor Raza Murad was on Friday removed from the position on the instruction of Madhya Pradesh Minister Bhupendra Singh.

In a letter dated January 14, the Urban Administration and Development minister instructed Bhopal Municipal Corporation to remove Raza Murad from the position with immediate effect.

"... I respect the decision taken by the Minister. I respect him, he is an elected representative. I don't wish to make any comment on the decision taken by him. But I would like to say one thing... I came for the event at my own expenses. I stayed in hotel also at my own expenses. I didn't ask the municipal corporation for money. This is my love for Bhopal," Raza Murad said in a video.

Quoting sources, media reports suggested that Raza Murad was removed from the post over his connections with Congress party.

“Murad had earlier passed objectionable remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His name was also featured in the Pyare Miyan case. There are many reasons that prompted the minister to direct the BMC to remove Murad from the position,” Free Press Journal quoted a close aide of the minister as saying.