This year however, Connaught Place seems singularly lacking in the festive spirit that marked it this time last year. Instead of finalising the programmes for the festival, scheduled to begin on December 21, the festival committee has spent considerable time sorting out internal squabbles. There has been some reorganisation within the New Delhi Trader's Association (NDTA), leaving several within the organisation dissatisfied.

This three-year-old event is known its for discounts and the fact that shops in CP remain open till 9 p.m. Shopkeepers decorate their shops and slash prices, while music plays on the public broadcast systems, artists perform on make-shift stages and prizes are given away by the dozen. In fact, shopkeepers proudly claim that their festival at par with the Dubai and Singapore festivals.

Last time, the NDTA's youth wing did the organising and the running around. This time, however, the senior wing of the NDTA has taken charge of things and this ``seems to have upset a few youngsters''. However, everyone claims things are running smoothly.

``Well, there are always a few disagreements, but nothing major,'' explains Fateh Singh Jodhka, president of the festival committee. ``In any case, the festival cannot be organised without the youth wing. After all, they do all the running around.''

But just being relegated to doing the running around is obviously not what the youth wing wants. ``Last time the youth wing did everything. This time quite a few them are not even on the committee,'' says a member. ``They are unhappy about this and it is only natural.''

The explanation being given for the change is that last time the outer circle shopkeepers in Connaught Place felt left out. They felt that all the banners, the dancing and festivities were concentrated only in the inner circle. Members say that the inner circle-outer circle conflict last time was due to ``mismanagement'' by the youth wing.

When P.K. Khanna took over as the new president of the NDTA last month, things changed. ``Being a outer circle man himself, he has brought to the for the interests of that segment,'' explains a member. ``This change has meant, however, that the youth wing has become second-in-command.''

Khanna emphasises that the youth wing are with them. Youth wing office bearers agree. Yet, no one denies that additional names had to be added to the festival committee list to appease upset youth wing members.

While the entire episode is being brushed aside as a ``war of words'', participant shopkeepers are worried that the problem within the NDTA might reflect in the arrangements for the festival. As a shopkeeper puts it: ``The final aim is a well organised festival. And the important thing at this point of time is that people put their differences aside and get the show going''.