Kolkata: Members of the Youth Association, which has organised the Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja for decades, met Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Thursday, a meeting that assumes significance amid the ongoing dispute over the festival’s organisation and identity. The general secretary of the association said it invited Bhattacharya to attend both the Khuti Puja and this year’s Durga Puja and claimed he assured them of support if they encountered any difficulties.The Khuti Puja, which marks the ceremonial beginning of Durga Puja preparations, is scheduled to be held on July 22.“We met Samik da on Thursday morning. He was very warm and spoke to us in detail. We have invited him for the Khuti Puja as well as the Durga Puja,” said Surender Sharma, secretary of the Youth Association.Sharma said the organisers did not raise the controversy surrounding the puja during the meeting. “We did not say anything about the current controversy surrounding the puja, but he himself said that if we face any hurdles, we should get in touch with him,” said Sharma.It came in the backdrop of an ongoing dispute over one of central Kolkata’s best-known community pujas. Earlier this month, hoardings outside Mohammad Ali Park identified the organisers of this year’s festival as ‘Shree Mahabali Park Durgotsav Samity’, replacing the long-standing Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja Committee name. The Youth Association has clarified that it neither changed the puja’s name nor supports any proposal to rename Mohammad Ali Park.The association, which has organised the puja for 57 years, alleged that it was removed from organising the festival and has since announced that it will proceed with its Khuti Puja on July 22 under the original Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja Committee banner. It has also said it received assurances from well-wishers that it would be able to continue organising the festival despite the competing committee’s announcement.“We support what Samik babu has been saying about political interference in Durga Puja. It is a matter of faith,” said Sharma.A member of the Youth Association, who did not wish to be named, said the meeting carried symbolic significance for the organisers. “The meeting with Samik da was important as it sends a direct signal to those trying to forcefully take over our puja. He has on many occasions said party functionaries should not use political power to take control of community pujas beyond their own constituencies,” the member said.The Youth Association said it would organise the event in the same manner as previous years’ and that invited guests and committee members would be present.
