Arijit Singh show: Uncertainties and debate continue to cloud the concert

Political blame games continue

Arijit Singh

Will Arijit Singh really perform on February 18 in Kolkata? Will he be able to sing Rang De Tu Mohe Gerua or Channa Mereya? The singer's fans are haunted by the question. It was declared a few months back that Arijit, who lives in Jiaganj, would perform in Kolkata. Rajarhat's Eco Park was announced as the venue. There was a craze for tickets on the net. The organizer PayTM Insider kept the highest price at Rs 50,000, which was sold quickly. However, at the last moment, permission was not granted to hold the show at Eco Park. The organizers are visibly shaken and trying to find a new venue.

Meanwhile, the political tiff regarding the show is still at its peak. The West Bengal BJP criticizes the ruling TMC government for this controversy. According to the opposition leader Subhendu Adhikari, Arijit Singh earned the wrath of CM Mamata Banerjee because he sang Rang De Tu Mohe Gerua on the stage of the Kolkata International Film festival. However, the TMC says that the BJP is muddling into ‘dirty politics’ over the incident, and the cancellation of Arijit's show has no connection with the inauguration of KIFF.

On the other hand, there are different opinions within the TMC. The minister and HIDCO chairman Firhad Hakim clearly stated in the press conference, “No permission was sought for Arijit's programme at ECO Park.” He also added, “I am HIDCO’s chairman. My signature is necessary for approving any programme. I did not sign anywhere.” He also does not know about any advance taken, or refund. He said, “I did not give any approval.”

However, the TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said in a press conference that on December 8 the programme was cancelled by the HIDCO authority and an advance of Rs 5 lakh was returned. Thus, the advance was returned seven days before Arijit's performance on the stage of KIFF. Then, Kunal asks, how does it tally with the BJP's logic? He also claimed that the organizers submitted Rs 1 lakh in advance to Aquatica as the alternative venue. Why do two important members of the ruling party tell different facts?

Why did the show not get permission at Eco Park? According to HIDCO, previously a lot of damage has been done to Eco Park due to big-scale programmes. This time also Arijit's show will pull a huge crowd, and the administration and the Eco Park authority have to handle extra risks. The decision was thus taken to avoid unwanted outcomes.

Now the question is, if Firhad Hakim's statement is true, then why did the organisers sell tickets for the concert before getting permission? The bigger question that remains is, will the concert take place on the said date?

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