The Aryavarth Express
West Medinipur: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday strongly criticised the Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the chaos that erupted during football star Lionel Messi’s event at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, calling it a reflection of political mismanagement in West Bengal.
The remarks came after Messi’s appearance at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan on Saturday descended into disorder, with frustrated fans complaining of overcrowding and their inability to even catch a glimpse of the football icon.
Speaking in West Medinipur, Ghosh told, “There is complete chaos in Kolkata and across West Bengal. The ruling party is responsible for the current situation in the state.”
He alleged that “anti-social and anti-national elements” have gained influence within the TMC and accused the ruling party of politicising even international events. According to Ghosh, the incident at Salt Lake Stadium had brought embarrassment to the state.
“Their only aim is to make money and remain in power. They politicise everything. Even such a major global event has been ruined, bringing shame upon the state because of power-hungry politics,” he said, adding that there would be no improvement as long as the present government remained in power.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal and Nandigram MLA Suvendu Adhikari also questioned the police action following the incident, alleging high-handedness and political shielding of ministers. He criticised the arrest of spectators and claimed selective action by the authorities.
“Why are spectators being arrested? You have played with the emotions of the youth,” Adhikari said, adding that he had approached the Calcutta High Court seeking a stay on arrests and the FIR. “Arresting people is a grave mistake,” he remarked.
Adhikari also took a swipe at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that attempts were made to make Messi say “Khela Hobe,” adding sarcastically that “the game has turned against them.”
Meanwhile, retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Ashim Kumar Ray, who is heading the state government’s inquiry committee into the chaos during the GOAT India Tour event, visited the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday. He said the committee would submit its report at the earliest.
Earlier, Satadru Dutta, promoter and organiser of Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour 2025, was sent to 14 days of police custody in connection with the incident.
Messi’s Kolkata leg of the tour descended into chaos after fans—many of whom had paid high ticket prices—allegedly began throwing bottles and attempting to break gates between stands when the Argentine star left early. Angry spectators vandalised parts of the stadium, blaming poor event management and accusing VIPs and politicians of monopolising Messi’s time.
The situation escalated as some fans tried to enter the ground and damage property, prompting police to use mild force to disperse the crowd.
In contrast, the grand finale of Lionel Messi’s “GOAT India Tour 2025” in New Delhi concluded smoothly amid massive fan enthusiasm. Messi arrived in the capital on December 15 after events in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai, bringing the four-city tour to a successful close.
