Messi in Kolkata: BJP leaders, Governor Ananda Bose question government’s role

Kolkata 

As violence erupted at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday (December 13, 2025) at footballer Lionel Messi’s event, both opposition leaders and the Governor raised questions about the organisers and the government’s role in handling the situation. They blamed the ruling party and its State machinery like the local police for failing to manage the crowd. 

“While the organisers of the event are to be blamed squarely for the situation that unfolded, it is also the police that has failed the Government, the people and the Chief Minister who is also the Home Minister,” the Lok Bhavan Social Media page of Governor C.V. Ananda Bose posted on X after the event. He also stated that this incident will be considered a “black day” in the sports loving community of Kolkata. 

Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leaders like Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, MP Sukanta Majumdar, and senior spokesperson Amit Malviya all came down heavily on the ruling government, the police, and the Trinamool Congress ministers for the chaos at the event. 

LoP Mr Adhikari posted pictures of TMC ministers with Messi and questioned why they were allowed so close to the football legend when fans paid thousands of rupees to see their icon. He alleged that the programme turned into “Sports Minister Aroop Biswas and Sujit Basu’s business”, claiming spectators were “fleeced for thousands of rupees in tickets” while ministers and leaders crowded around Messi. He also shared the ministers picture with Messi on his social media account. 

Mr. Majumdar also raised similar allegations that the TMC leaders hijacked the event and did not give football and Messi fans their rightful chance to see the legend. “The unruly and barbaric conduct of Trinamool workers—coupled with staggering administrative mismanagement—drove the situation to such an extent that he was forced to turn back,” he added. 

The senior BJP leaders also called for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation, and the arrest of Ministers Aroop Biswas and Sujit Bose.  

Both the Governor and opposition leaders asked for the arrest of the organiser, Shatadru Dutta and a refund of all tickets to all fans who paid hefty amounts to see Messi at the stadium. The organiser was detained by police on Saturday (December 13, 2025) afternoon. 

However, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh himself also raised questions about the organisers and their mismanagement of the event and distanced their government from the chaos. 

“This is entirely the result of the organisers’ gross mismanagement, who are a private entity. It has no connection to the state government. This has no relation to the TMC,” Mr. Ghosh said. He further added that Mr Biswas was part of the event in his capacity as the Sports Minister and not as a private participant. 

Notably, CM Ms. Banerjee also apologised to Messi and sports lovers for the chaos and raised questions on the mismanagement. A probe has been ordered into the turn of events.