Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly has said Pakistani
ghazal singer Ghulam Ali’s concert in Kolkata should not be held at the Eden
Gardens. The cricketer said in view of the ICC inspection on January 15 ahead
of the World T20, 2016.
Ghulam Ali is scheduled to perform in the city on January 12.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had invited the ghazal maestro to
the city after his concert in Mumbai was called off last year due to threats
from Shiv Sena.
The West Bengal Minorities Development and Finance
Corporation (WBMDFC) had proposed to hold the event of the ghazal maestro at
the city’s iconic cricket stadium.
Sourav who is the president of Cricket Association of Bengal
(CAB), speaking to The Indian Express said, “We have received a proposal from
the WBMDFC. But with the World T20 round the corner (in March-April), the
stadium can’t be used for a cultural event. The ICC team will come for a venue
inspection on January 15 and everything has to be in order. Else, matches might
move out.”
“I have informed the WBMDFC. I have also expressed my regret
to Sultan Ahmed (Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP). I had a meeting with DC
(South) and told him it wouldn’t be possible. I will inform the chief
minister,” he added.
Earlier, television personality-turned-politician Derik O’Brien
had informed that Ghulam Ali will perform at Park Circus Maidan. “#Kolkata
#Breaking Ghulam Ali and his son to perform in the city on Jan 12 at Park
Circus Maidan,” he had tweeted on Tuesday.
On Thursday, however, Sultan Ahmed tweeted, “New Venue for
concert of legendary Ghulam Ali organized by WBMDFC will be at Eden Gardens
Stadium Kolkata in place of Park Circus.”
Eden Gardens is exclusively reserved for cricket and the
venue has never hosted such programmes, at least in the last 50 years, according
to CAB officials.
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