Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Rupesh Samant

Panaji, Jul 3: BJP National President Amit Shah’s public meeting in the Goa airport premises has turned into a major political war between his party and the Congress.

While Congress leaders confronted Airport Director B C H Negi this morning seeking explanation why the airport was allowed to be used for political meeting, BJP has said that the public meeting was 'spontaneous' and 'people were not invited'.

"The crowd gathered spontaneously at the airport to see their leader. There was no public meeting invited," BJP Goa unit president Vinay Tendulkar told reporters today.

His statement came hours after Congress workers confronted Negi. During the discussion with the workers, Negi admitted that the permission was not taken. But when asked by the media, Negi refused to comment.

BJP, meanwhile, said that dais and chair for the meeting were arranged at the last minute considering the response of the workers.

Tendulkar said the party president arrived in the State on a regular flight, and was in the airport building for almost 10-15 minutes as people were thronging to greet him.

"The time when he was in the airport, the supporters arranged for the welcome function, impromptu," he said.

Tendulkar said, "If Congress want, they can also have a similar reception to Sonia Gandhi."

Congress party had taken strong objection to Shah’s meeting in the airport complex on Saturday on his arrival for two days in the State. Shah had addressed a crowd of more than 2,500 people.

Congress party leaders today confronted Airport Authority of India Director B C H Negi questioning him why action was not taken against the organizers of the meeting.