Messi Event Chaos In Kolkata: Mamata Banerjee Takes Over Sports Department, Aroop Biswas Resigns
The chaos surrounding football star Lionel Messi’s event in Kolkata has led to a major political development in West Bengal.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to take charge of the state’s sports department after Sports Minister Aroop Biswas resigned on Monday following allegations of mismanagement and security lapses at the high-profile event.
The incident took place on December 13 at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium (Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan) during Messi’s GOAT Tour India event.
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Thousands of fans had gathered, many of whom had paid hefty ticket prices, but Messi reportedly stayed at the venue for less than 20 minutes.
Angry spectators, frustrated at not getting a clear glimpse of the football legend, allegedly vandalised stadium property, threw bottles, and damaged seats. The loss has been estimated at around Rs 2 crore.
Amid growing criticism, Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh shared a copy of Aroop Biswas’s resignation letter, in which the minister requested to be relieved of his duties to allow a free and fair investigation. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accepted his resignation.
According to the reports, Banerjee had strongly questioned senior officials during a review meeting and warned them against damaging the state’s image. She reportedly asked whether accountability would be fixed for the lapses that led to the embarrassment.
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Following a preliminary inquiry led by Justice (Retd) Asim Kumar Roy, the state government has taken strict action.
The Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar has been issued a show-cause notice, while notices were also sent to the Bidhannagar police chief and the sports department’s principal secretary. A senior police officer has been suspended, and the event’s chief organiser, Satadru Dutta, has been arrested.
