Panaji (Goa): Facing a string of criticism for holding meeting in the airport premises, BJP today defended itself claiming the crowd was not invited but gathered on its own.

“The people had gathered outside the airport on their own spontaneously to see Amit Shah. We had not planned any meeting,” BJP Goa unit president Vinay Tendulkar said.

He said the dais and chairs were set up by the enthusiastic crowd that had come to listen to Shah.

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.

Team TNV