Poster of Tamannaah Bhatia being chosen as brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal Soap.
Credit: X/@MysoreSandalIn
Mysuru: Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar lashed out at the Karnataka government, for appointing a non-Kannada actress Tamannaah Bhatia as an ambassador for Mysore sandal soaps and other products of Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL).
Wadiyar of the BJP is a descendant of Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, who established KSDL and other public sector companies of Karnataka, while he was the Maharaja of the erstwhile Mysore State.
Wadiyar termed the appointment of Tamannaah, draining Rs 6.2 crore, as extremely absurd and irresponsible and stated that this is an ill-advised decision by the Congress government.
“In 1916 Krishnaraja Wadiyar established the KSDL and its products, including sandal soap, have earned an honourable place in the households of the state, for decades, over generations. A majority of the people using KSDL products are Kannadigas. A non-Kannada actor an ambassador for such a company is foolish. Payment of Rs 6.2 crore to her to be ambassador is absurd," the MP said.
Wadiyar accused the state government of hurting the sentiments of Kannadigas, by neglecting Kannada actors and favouring Tamannaah. “If the government wanted to appoint an ambassador, there were many popular and talented Kannada actors,” he added.
“Tamannaah has no connection with Karnataka's culture, heritage or history. What was the need to make her, who has no understanding of Kannada culture, as an ambassador for our sandalwood products company?" he asked.
The MP demanded the government to immediately withdraw her appointment and save Rs 6.20 crore, which belongs to Kannadigas.