{
  "id": 1742582,
  "title": "Venues in Kolkata cancelled meeting bookings after pressure from top: CJP",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/venues-in-kolkata-cancelled-meeting-bookings-after-pressure-from-top",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T15:52:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/cjp-kolkata-venues-bjp-pressure-meeting-bookings-10839113/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The CJP party claimed that several venues in Kolkata refused to host their meetings, citing pressure from local BJP representatives. Their planned press conference at the Kolkata Press Club had to be held outside due to issues with the indoor space. Sunil Kumar Tiwari, a CJP member, said they had contacted venues on Monday, only to be met with refusals when they returned on Tuesday. While they could not provide direct evidence of BJP threats, they alleged that pressure may have been exerted \"from the top\". CJP co-convenor Asutosh Ranka accused the BJP government of using intimidation and threats to silence the party, particularly in response to the murder of Janab Mafik. The BJP government and police denied any involvement.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "CJP's Ashutosh Ranka alleges Kolkata meet cancelled after venue owners ‘threatened’ by BJP leaders",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/cjps-ashutosh-ranka-alleges-kolkata-meet-cancelled-after-venue-owners",
        "published": "2026-08-18T11:24:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}