CJP members at a press conference in Kalyan on Friday

Kalyan: A controversy erupted after Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) allowed a cricket tournament to be held on a sports ground in Kalyan on Saturday amid a students-led group’s plan for a peaceful protest backed by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) there the same day.The organisers claimed they had procured police permission for the protest, but at the time of going to press, police officials said their request had neither been granted nor rejected. Civic authorities said the ground maintained by KDMC is specifically meant for sports activities.According to one of the organisers, Durvesh Borgaonkar, who is linked with CJP, the initial plan was to hold a peaceful protest demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan at Subhash Maidan in Kalyan, but they changed the venue to Phadke Ground, keeping in mind potential traffic congestion owing to the stir.The organisers claimed they submitted applications seeking permission to both KDMC and police. KDMC, however, allotted the ground for a cricket tournament, reportedly organised by persons associated with BJP.“Who plays cricket on a muddy ground during heavy rains? Those who wish to play are free to do so, but we will carry out our protest peacefully from noon to 5pm,” Borgaonkar said.Congress’s group leader in KDMC Kanchan Kulkarni alleged that the civic administration had prioritised the cricket event to suppress students’ democratic right to protest. She said her party will support the protest.The organisers said they expect students from Kalyan, Dombivli, Thane and Shahapur to participate in the protest. Shiv Sena and BJP hold the majority in KDMC.