Ex-footballer has one goal: Gandhi statue in London

New Delhi: Former England football ace Gary Linekar has come out in support of installing Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Leicestar near London.

Leicestar is Linekar's home city and has a large Asian population.

He wrote a letter to MP Keith Vaz saying the ethnic diversity of the city should be celebrated and that Gandhi's philosophy of brotherhood amongst different religions and ethnicity should be honoured.

Remember, a section of people in the city have opposed the move to install Gandhi's statue.

They favour the statue of either Linekar or any other local hero to be installed. Linekar is now a popular TV presenter.

The statue will come at no extra cost to the taxpayer as private funding has already been secured, Vaz, who is leading the campaign to celebrate the religious and ethnic diversity of the City of Leicester, said.

Leicester is predicted to be Britain's' first white minority city in 12 years.

Vaz said a statue of Mahatma Gandhi would be an excellent symbol of the leader's and the city's commitment to diversity.

In his letter, Linekar said: "As far as a statue of me is concerned, frankly I think that is best left to other people to decide.”

"Clearly the cost of such a statue will be a factor and perhaps the extra materials required for my ears would make the statue too expensive."

Linekar is frequently teased on television for his 'bigger than normal' ears.

(With agency inputs)