PANJIM: The State Congress unit has petitioned
Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to direct Union Defence Minister
Manohar Parrikar and the State BJP to reconsider the grand 60th
birthday celebrations of Parrikar on December 13, in the wake of the floods in Chennai
that led to destruction of homes and lives of several hundreds.
Congress has also pointed out that the
celebration is being held at a time, when several cease fire violations and
cross border infiltration bids with acts of terror have increased sharply.
“We request you to kindly intervene and direct
Manohar Parrikar and Goa State BJP leaders to reconsider their decision of the
birthday celebration on December 13, as Manohar Parrikar is the Raksha Mantri
of the country and no more the Chief Minister or the MLA of a State
legislature. His responsibility is towards the entire country and not just the
State anymore,” a petition submitted by Congress general secretary Sunil
Kawthankar says.
“If Manohar Parrikar accepts this grand
celebration at a time when hundreds are mourning the deaths of their loved ones
in Chennai, it will only reflect on your governance of our country,” he added.
Kawthankar informed the Prime Minister that
Congress had requested BJP not to go ahead with the celebration and instead of
spending crores of rupees on felicitating Parrikar, the same could be donated
towards the Chennai relief fund.
BJP workers, party well-wishers and supporters of
Parrikar have decided to felicitate Parrikar on his 60th birthday at
SAG ground. Around 50,000 people are expected to participate along with Union
Ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari and Sripad Naik.
