Govt has to think of public interest: Amar on Metro-BigB issue

In his recent blog posting, Big B had said the Metro rail tracks near his home 'Prateeksha' will affect his privacy. "Amitabh Bachchan, like any public figure, has full right to be unhappy over intrusion in his privacy...but government has to think on lines of public interest," Singh told reporters here to a question on the issue.

Singh said even famous singer Lata Mangeshkar had objected to a flyover being constructed near her house. "But the flyover was constructed," he said. Singh, once considered a family friend of the Bachchans, had recently said that his relations with the family are not the same and during a recent visit to Mumbai he had not stayed at their house, which he usually does.

After being expelled from Samajwadi Party, he had requested Jaya Bachchan not to contest on a party ticket for Rajya Sabha elections. To a question on MNS targeting north Indians, he said leaders from the North should avoid taking steps which could create problems for the population from the region.

"Talks are the best way out...Lalu Prasad and I can observe Chhat outside Raj Thackeray's residence....we have security. But what will the MNS cadre do to north Indians after we leave," he said.

He said if need be, he was ready to take a "white flower" to the residence of Raj Thackeray. "They should do whatever they need to do for Maharashtrians. But after that they can also help the north Indians who have full respect for Maharashtra and Marathi," Singh said.