Mumbai BJP president and local MLA Ashish Shelar on Wednesday demanded that the renowned singer Asha Bhosle should be awarded the Bharat Ratna.

Shelar was speaking at an awards function organised by his NGO Spandan Arts on the occasion of the birth anniversary of late singer Mohammad Rafi. Referring to announcement of the country's highest civilian honour for the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the late Madan Mohan Malaviya, Shelar said it was a welcome decision, and Bhosle should get it next year.

Bhosle and Suresh Wadkar were presented an award set up in Rafi's name at the function.