Will disrupt Ghulam Ali’s concert: Shiv Sena, MNS

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, January 18

Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and the Shiv Sena have threatened to disrupt Pakistani artiste Ghulam Ali’s proposed concert in Thane next month.

The Thane unit of the MNS warned that “it would not allow Ali to enter the city”. The Shiv Sena has already warned it would not allow any Pakistani artiste to perform in Maharashtra.

An earlier concert by Ali in Mumbai late last year was cancelled at the last minute after the Sena threatened to storm the venue.

However this time, Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) which enjoys tremendous clout in Thane has invited Ali to perform at the annual “Festival of Lake City”. “Every year, we invite some big artiste to perform at the festival. This time, we have invited Ghulam Ali,” NCP leader Jitendra Awhad said.

NCP leaders say they have “obtained” support from the Devendra Fadnavis government despite the Sena being part of the ruling coalition.

The Shiv Sena hit out at the NCP for inviting Ghulam Ali so soon after the terror attack at the Pathankot Air Force station.

The Pakistani artiste has been performing at a series of shows in India recently.