The West Bengal government today asked the organisers of the Kolkata Book Fair to ensure that there is no political controversy in the allotment of stalls.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee chaired a meeting at the state secretariat during the day where officials of the Booksellers and Publishers Guild, which organises the fair, were present.
"The book fair is educational and cultural affair. We don't want this to turn political. So we have requested them that there should be no political controversy," state Urban Development minister Firhad Hakim said when asked about allotment of stalls.
He said the Guild was a private party and they can only request them as the government doesn't organise the fair.
For the convenience of visitors, a four acre parking plot has been made at the Milan Mela grounds, the minister said.
The 12-day Book Fair would begin from January 27.
