The opposition in Maharashtra, Congress-NCP on Thursday attacked the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance for waiver of entertainment tax and rentals to the Global Citizen India’s upcoming mega-event in which British rock band Coldplay is scheduled to perform here on November 19.

Head of the Mumbai unit of the Congress, Sanjay Nirupam, has written to the State Election Commissioner asking him to either postpone the concert or give permission for it only after a set of local polls are completed. He’s been backed in this demand by the Nationalist Congress Party.

The star-studded event, which is reported to be a total sellout, will feature performances by Jay Z and a host of Bollywood celebrities including Aamir Khan, A.R. Rahman, Arjun Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar, Kareena Kapoor-Khan, Katrina Kaif, Malaika Arora-Khan, Ranveer Singh, , Shah Rukh Khan, Shraddha Kapoor, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, as well as sportspersons Sachin Tendulkar, Sakshi Malik, Vijender Singh and many others.

In a letter submitted to the State Election Commission (SEC), the Congress said the ruling party is expected to use the concert for political gains.The party has said that since the state government is the strategic partner for the show, it is likely to influence voters.
“The Maharasthra government has invested in the event [organised by Global Citizen India]. The MMRDA headed by the chief minister Fadnavis has given a concession of 75% in fare to the organisers for the ground at BKC. The government has also given tax exemption to the show. The tax exemption was given when the code of conduct was in force,” said Sanjay Nirupam, Mumbai chief of Congress. Nirupam has demanded that the show be postponed until the completion of the election for the municipal council and legislative councils.
“Or else, no political leader should be allowed to deliver speech from the stage where the performance of the band is being held,” he said. Agreeing on the subject, JS Saharia, state election commissioner, has assured Nirupam the demand will be considered.

Hope everything goes as planned.

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