03 November,2016 07:01 PM IST | | Dharmendra Jore
Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam alleges that the November 19 event is a political gimmick by the BJP; alleges misuse of public funds
British Rock band Coldplay is set to perform its first concert in India at the MMRDA grounds in Bandra on November 19
Terming British band Coldplay's performance in the city on November 19 a poll gimmick of the Devendra Fadnavis government, the Mumbai Congress has decided to ask the state election commission to ban the event. The event, which is scheduled to be held at the MMRDA ground, is a part of the Global Citizen Festival to promote an end to poverty across the world.
Revenue loss
The Maharashtra government is one of the sponsors of the event and it has given almost 75 per cent rental concession for the MMRDA ground, said Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam. He also told journalists at the MRCC office on Wednesday that the CM, who heads the MMRDA, was acting on behest of powerful political leaders in New Delhi. "The state will face a huge revenue loss due to the event. The government is already reeling under a debt of over Rs 3.50 lakh crore. Who will benefit from the event?"
Luring voters?
Nirupam added that the event was nothing but a celebration of the BJP government's two years in office. "Apart from Mumbai and Thane, a code of conduct for the civic polls is in place for the rest of the state. And since the state government has been barred from officially organising events that can lure voters, the CM has come up with this idea. Over and above this, the plan will be implemented using public money. This is a violation of the election code. The government is doing it to impress voters ahead of the BMC polls," alleged Nirupam.
Are tickets really for free?
The Congress leader even objected to the expensive tickets that were being sold despite an assurance that they would be free. "A particular organisation from New Delhi, which is behind this event, says it's doing charity. Does anyone know how many tickets are being sold and how many being given free? Has any audit been done for the event?" he asked.
Nirupam said if the state government was one of the sponsors of the event, then leaders from all parties should have been invited for it. "This is an exclusively BJP event, which is being sponsored using public money. It's a scam," he alleged.
