Amit Shah programme's booking cancelled

Kolkata: Netaji Indoor Stadium authorities have denied permission to BJP to organise an event which was to be attended by its president Amit Shah.

State BJP leaders claimed that their party had submitted two applications to Netaji Indoor Stadium authorities to book the hall for September 10 or 12.

The party leaders also alleged that the authorities told them to collect the confirmation letter on August 30. They were, however, later told that stadium was not available for booking. The BJP cried foul over the issue saying that Trinamool Congress-led government was responsible for this incident.

The ruling party, however, denied the charges saying the Netaji Indoor Stadium authorities give permission for holding programme and it is not given by the government. The state government has nothing to do with the stadium authorities' decision.

Shah was scheduled to be in the city on a three-day tour from September 11-13. It may be mentioned here that state-run auditorium, Mahajati Sadan on Tuesday cancelled the booking of a programme scheduled to take place on October 3. The programme was scheduled to be attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

The BJP party leaders wanted to book Netaji Indoor Stadium as it can hold nearly 12,000 people as they expected a huge turnout. It was learnt that BJP decided to cancel Shah's meeting as a big venue was not available. He will hold the other meetings as scheduled.

Netaji Indoor Stadium officials were not available for comment. Trinamool Congress leaders, however, claimed that the booking of the stadium is not determined by the government or any minister or the party leader and hence the party has nothing to do with the denial of permission.

A senior minister of the state said that BJP smell political conspiracy in every incident. They have come up with the allegations as they know that they cannot fill up the Netaji Indoor Stadium. The stadium is not controlled by the government, or the party. It is run by a committee.