Maharashtra Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal has finally given up hopes of roping in Sachin Tendulkar as brand ambassador for Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation as per a report in TOI. Bhujbal began searching for a brand ambassador after actor Amitabh Bachchan was chosen by Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi to promote his state and Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was nominated as brand ambassador of Jharkhand.

Bhujbal felt it should not be difficult for him to rope in a leading sports or film personality as brand ambassador. After considering over a dozen names, the tourism department shortlisted Tendulkar. Bhujbal not only approved the name, but also wrote a letter to Tendulkar. A close aide of Bhujbal says after the first letter last October, several reminders were sent to Tendulkar's address and phone calls made, but there was no response. When it was brought to his notice, Bhujbal, who felt Tendulkar should have at least expressed his inability to accept the offer, abandoned the idea of pursuing the cricketer.