From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Goa, Dec 12: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's birthday celebrations have got another angle. Now Nationalist Congress party has demanded inquiry into the funding of reception planned to celebrate the birthday.

"We demand inquiry into where the money is spent on the birthday celebration of Parrikar," NCP Goa Spokesman Trajano D'Mello demanded addressing a press conference.

He said state chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar has already said government fund will not be spent on the birthday.

"Also Parrikar has appealed to people not to release advertisement and gift flowers on the occasion and instead contribute the money to chief minister's relief fund for Chennai flood victims. So now the question comes as to where the funding for the birthday bash is coming from," D'Mello questioned.

He termed as 'white lie' that the party is not funding the birthday bash. "We have come to know that even birthday advertisements are designed in BjP local office," the NCP leader said.

The BjP however rubbished the allegations claiming not much money is being spent on the birthday celebration.

"It is people of Goa who want to celebrate birthday of their leader. We have already made it clear that there is no spending from government fund. It is love of the people of Goa towards Parrikar that has resulted in this celebration," BJP Goa President Vinay Tendulkar said reacting to NCP's statement.

Parrikar will be turning 60 on December 13.

Earlier this week, State chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar said more than 50,000 people will be participating in the celebrations planned at the Panaji city.

Parrikar will be felicitated at the hands of his colleagues Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari and Shripad Naik.

A 135 member committee has been formed to hold the function which is considered as one of Goa’s biggest birthday bashes ever.