Kolkata : Pakistani Ghazal singer Ghulam Ali will perform live at the Mohun Bagan ground . The legendary singer will mesmerize his fans here in Kolkata on January 12 . There have been a lot of controversy in the last 24 hours surrounding the venue of the show . The programme was supposed to take place at the iconic Eden Gardens . But a strong reaction from different corners including the Cricket Association of Bengal members led to the event getting cancelled . The venue was shifted to the Mohun Bagan ground after West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee intervened . It was after her instruction that the Mohun Bagan ground was chosen as the venue for the programme .
West Bengal Minorities Development and Finance Corporation chairman Sultan Ahmed was at the Mohun Bagan ground for an inspection on Friday morning .Mr Ahmed was accompanied by Kolkata Police Jt. CP Headquarters Supratim Sarkar and DC South Muralidhar Sharma . Representatives from PWD were also present .
It was decided that stage for the show will be erected at the rampart end . Mr Sultam Ahmed emphasized that the ground will not be damaged under any circumstance ,“ Look , we will ensure the ground is not damaged as it is in the middle of I League season. We will lay down four carpets on the ground before placing the chairs . Spectators with valid tickets , coming in to watch the programme will be given seats at the stands .
Earlier , there was a lot of criticism on Eden Gardens being chosen as the venue . CAB president Sourav Ganguly later explained to the media about their inability to host the programme “ Keeping in mind the ICC World Twenty 20 which is just two months away , we have decided not to host such an event . Priority for the association will be host the World T20 matches smoothly . I have informed Sultan Ahmed about our decision . I will inform the chief minister as well about our inability to host such an event .”
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee invited Ghulam Ali personally to perform in Kolkata after the legendary singer’s concert was called off in Mumbai last year after threats from Shiv Sena .