The comment by Dr K Laxman after the Telangana Rashtra Samithi government in the newly-born state announced that the tennis star had been appointed as the brand ambassador.
“Sania Mirza was born in Maharashtra. She was brought-up by her parents in Hyderabad. Then, she married a Pakistani. How can a non-local become Telangana ambassador?” Laxman questioned, further stating, “She is not the only person who has brought national glory. There are many natives who had brought glory to the nation. She has disrespected the national flag earlier at Olympics.”
“Feelings of Telangana community will be hurt if Sania Mirza is appointed state ambassador,” he added.
Laxman said Sania neither participated in the movement for separate Telangana state nor ever played Bathukamma (a folk song and dance performed by Telangana women).
The BJP leader is a MLA from Musheerabad and is the party's floor leader in the Telangana Assembly.
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