Political Row Erupts in West Bengal After Chaos at Lionel Messi Event in Salt Lake Stadium

A political storm broke out in West Bengal on Saturday between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the principal opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minutes after chaos erupted at Salt Lake Stadium in Bidhannagar during an event featuring Argentine football icon Lionel Messi.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologised to Messi and football fans on X, saying she was “deeply disturbed and shocked” by the mismanagement at the stadium. She also announced the formation of a three-member enquiry committee, headed by retired judge Justice Ashik Kumar Ray, to probe the incident.

“I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi. I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” Banerjee wrote.

Despite the apology and the announcement of a probe, a war of words quickly erupted among political parties.

The BJP squarely blamed the TMC-led state government and the police for the chaos. Union minister and BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar said the incident showed “gross mismanagement” by the ruling party.

“This incident once again proves that vulgarity is just another name of TMC. It could have been a proud moment for West Bengal that a footballer of such repute came to the city. But TMC leaders tried to hijack the event and it turned out to be a total mess. The police too failed to show their professionalism,” Majumdar said.

The TMC, however, denied responsibility and held the event organisers accountable. Party spokesperson Debangshu Bhattacharya said neither the state government nor the ruling party was associated with organising the programme.

“The incident is a result of the failure of the organisers. The state government or the TMC are in no way associated with this. Aroop Biswas, being the state sports minister, went there only as an invited guest and had no role as an organiser. Several programmes have been held at the stadium earlier without incident,” Bhattacharya said.

The TMC further alleged political provocation, claiming some individuals inside the stadium were seen carrying saffron flags, damaging property and raising “Jai Shri Ram” slogans.

“BJP, in a bid to malign West Bengal, can go to any extent. It should also be investigated who were behind the violence and vandalism. The chief minister has already ordered a probe,” Bhattacharya added.

The Congress also targeted the ruling party, demanding the arrest of state sports minister Aroop Biswas, who was present at the event and was seen interacting with Messi.

“Did Messi come to meet the state sports minister? TMC leaders never lose a chance to hobnob with celebrities. People were deprived despite paying hefty ticket prices. This is a failure of the Mamata Banerjee administration and the police, who gave permission for the programme and cannot shrug off responsibility,” said Congress leader Suman Roy Chaudhuri.

Meanwhile, BJP legislator and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari wrote to Governor CV Ananda Bose, demanding an independent probe by a committee headed by a Calcutta High Court judge. He termed the state government’s enquiry panel “structurally compromised, legally infirm and morally indefensible”.

The governor visited Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday evening to assess the situation. “I want an explanation from the authorities as to why such a thing happened. Many skeletons in the cupboard will be unearthed,” Bose said.