Rishi Kapoor thanks supporters over controversial asset-naming tweets

Mumbai: Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, whose controversial tweets questioning why the Congress had named important Indian assets and government projects after its icons from the Nehru-Gandhi family sparked a nationwide debate, has thanked his supporters.

On Wednesday night, Rishi, via a series of tweets, launched a scathing attack on the Congress and urged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government to re-name the assets that the Congress has named after the Gandhis -- Indira and Rajiv.

While Congress spokesperson P.C. Chacko, without naming the veteran actor, told the media that the comments targetting the Gandhis were "merely an attempt by some people to get into the good books of those in power", there were others like veteran actor Anupam Kher and Indian Films and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) president Ashoke Pandit who supported Rishi's tweets.

Expressing gratitude for the support, Rishi tweeted: "Thank you all for your unprecedented unconditional support, love and solidarity for what I said. Mera Bharat Mahaan (My India is great)."

In one post, he had questioned why Delhi's airport was named Indira Gandhi International Airport. "Why not Mahatma Gandhi or Bhagat Singh, Ambedkar or on my name Rishi Kapoor. As superficial! What say."

The actor is impressed by the "unprecedented" reactions to his views.

"Thank you, thank you world over! Your reaction coming is unprecedented. I meant it from my heart and you know it. And I know you know it," he added.

Following Rishi's comments, the Congress party on Wednesday took a swipe at him by asking if the veteran actor has "any role to play in India's public life".