In an unprecedented move, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was forced into swift and decisive action following a major public relations disaster: the chaotic and mismanaged event featuring global football icon Lionel Messi in Kolkata. The incident, which saw vandalism and chaos at the Salt Lake Stadium on December 13, 2025, prompted an immediate apology from the CM, the arrest of the organizer, a high-level inquiry, and ultimately, the resignation of Sports Minister Aroop Biswas. Political observers note the timing, just months before the 2026 state assembly elections, made the situation particularly sensitive for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The Chaotic Unfolding and Immediate Fallout
The event featuring Argentine superstar Lionel Messi at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) descended into chaos on December 13, with reports of mismanagement, VIP culture, and eventual vandalism by angry fans. The situation was severe enough that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had to turn back midway while en route to the venue. Within an hour of the incident, the CM took to social media platform X to issue a public apology.
"I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident," Mamata Banerjee wrote.
The government's response was rapid. An inquiry committee headed by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Ashim Kumar Ray was constituted. The event's organizer, Shatadru Dutta, was arrested. Show-cause notices were issued to State Police Chief Rajiv Kumar and Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Mukesh Kumar. Departmental proceedings were initiated against DCP Aneesh Sarkar.
The Political Resignation and Internal Party Discontent
The controversy's political epicenter was Sports Minister Aroop Biswas, a close aide of the Chief Minister. Biswas found himself heavily criticized for his prominent photo-op with Messi while the event spiraled out of control. As public anger swelled on social media and within the party's own ranks, Biswas offered his resignation on Monday, December 16.
In his resignation request, Biswas stated it was to ensure an impartial probe. "Regarding the mess during Messi’s Kolkata visit, you (CM) have already constituted an investigation team. For the probe to be unbiased, I wish to resign from the post of Sports Minister," he wrote. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accepted the resignation.
TMC sources revealed significant internal discontent. Party leaders were reportedly peeved with Biswas for allegedly bringing in Tollywood actresses, politicians' family members, and media bosses, which contributed to the perception of VIP mismanagement. The fiasco, which tarnished Bengal's reputation nationally and internationally according to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, deeply infuriated the party supremo.
Election Calculus and Youth Anger
Senior TMC leaders admitted the government's swift reaction was driven by political urgency. With the 2026 Assembly polls just months away, the party could not afford to alienate urban youth, a key demographic for whom football holds great sentimental value. The chaos resonated powerfully with this group, many of whom had paid significant sums to see Messi.
A senior leader pointed to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, noting deletions of urban youth names. "We do not want to aggravate their anger and let it snowball. Hence, immediate action was taken. Not even the DGP was spared," the leader said. The party also reportedly learned from the delayed response in the 2024 R G Kar case, opting for prompt damage control this time.
Opposition Dismisses Actions as "Drama" and "Diversion"
The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the CPI(M) have dismissed the Chief Minister's measures as a staged performance aimed at containing the fallout. They have demanded more stringent action, including the arrest of former Sports Minister Aroop Biswas and Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose, who was also seen with Messi.
State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya called it a drama. "The sports minister wrote to the CM on a piece of paper expressing his wish to resign, and she accepted it. Why not arrest the minister? Instead, the government arrested youth. The incident has left us ashamed," he said.
CPI(M) spokesperson Shatarup Ghosh echoed the sentiment, terming the resignation a "drama" since Biswas continues to hold other ministerial portfolios. Ghosh also demanded a probe into the organizer's financial transactions and action against Minister Sujit Bose.
While the TMC defends its swift apology and action as unprecedented accountability, the Messi event fiasco has undeniably become a significant political flashpoint in West Bengal, setting the stage for a heated electoral battle where governance and public trust will be central themes.
