Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar (right) shared dais with Sanjay Dutt at a Maharashtra Day event. (PTI file photo)
Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar today said "lack of judgement" led a local party functionary to invite Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt for a Maharashtra Day event where he shared dais with the film star.
Mr Shelar's presence at the May 1 event at suburban Dindoshi surprised many in political circles and invited criticism from Opposition Congress. The event was organised by BJP's youth wing leader Mohit Kamboj.
"It was lack of judgement and mistake (on part of the event organiser). Such a mistake should not be repeated," Mr Shelar told news agency PTI.
Mr Shelar said he has taken serious note of the matter, but clarified no disciplinary action will be taken against Mr Kamboj.
Finding fault with the BJP for inviting Mr Dutt to the function, a local Congress leader had said "this is a classic case of anti-nationalism, which is not new to the saffron party."
The 56-year-old actor's family has been associated with Congress for long.
Many in the BJP were critical of repeated paroles and furloughs granted to Mr Dutt while he was serving the sentence at Yerwada jail in Pune in 1993 blasts case. The actor completed his jail term in February.
Mr Kamboj had defended himself when the row erupted.
"I have a long and friendly association with Dutt. I wanted to invite him and got permission from senior party leaders. And what is wrong, if I invited him to be part of the Maharashtra Day celebrations?" he said yesterday.