In a dramatic political development, West Bengal's Sports Minister, Aroop Biswas, has reportedly offered to step down from his post. This move comes in the wake of severe criticism and allegations of gross mismanagement surrounding the high-profile event featuring global football icon Lionel Messi in Kolkata.
Alleged Mismanagement Sparks Political Crisis
The controversy stems from an event held at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, commonly known as the Salt Lake Stadium, on December 13. The event, which featured Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, was marred by alleged security lapses and poor organization. Reports indicate that frustrated spectators turned violent, clashing with police and causing significant damage to stadium property. The estimated cost of the destruction is a staggering Rs 2 crore.
The political storm intensified on Tuesday when senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh took to Facebook. Ghosh shared what he claimed was a copy of Minister Biswas's resignation letter addressed to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. In the purported letter, the senior minister expressed his desire to be relieved of his responsibilities overseeing the state's sports department.
Questions Over Letter's Authenticity and Political Backlash
"Sports minister Aroop Biswas has written to chief minister Mamata Banerjee requesting to be relieved of the responsibility of the sports department," Ghosh stated, directly linking the resignation offer to the fallout from the Messi event. However, the shared document immediately raised eyebrows in political circles as it was not on Biswas's official letterhead, casting doubt on its formal status.
As of now, there has been no official confirmation from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) regarding whether the resignation has been accepted. Repeated attempts by media outlets to contact Minister Biswas for his comments on the matter have gone unanswered. The senior TMC leader, known to be a close associate of Mamata Banerjee, has also not issued any public statement to clarify his position.
Fallout and Future Implications
The incident has triggered a major political backlash for the ruling Trinamool Congress government. The opposition has seized the opportunity to criticize the administration's handling of the high-security international event. The alleged mismanagement, which led to public unrest and significant financial loss, has become a focal point for attacking the government's competence.
This development places Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a delicate position. She must now decide whether to accept the resignation of a key cabinet colleague or back him amidst growing public and political pressure. The outcome will have significant implications for the state's political landscape and the credibility of its administration in organizing major sporting and entertainment events in the future.
The controversy underscores the challenges of managing crowd-pulling global events and the high stakes involved for politicians when such events go awry. All eyes are now on the Chief Minister's Office for an official announcement that will determine the fate of the state's sports ministry.
