Lionel Messi Kolkata Chaos: Politics has started after huge chaos during Lionel Messi’s GOAT tour in Kolkata. BJP has attacked Mamata government. Opposition is also being seen within TMC. The Governor has directed to take action.
BJP vs TMC Messi Event: There has been a political uproar after massive chaos during Lionel Messi’s GOAT Tour at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. While BJP called it an embarrassment at the global level, resentment is being seen even within Mamata Banerjee’s party TMC. On Saturday, thousands of football fans reached Salt Lake Stadium early in the morning to get a glimpse of legendary footballer Lionel Messi in Kolkata. But due to huge mismanagement, his dream was shattered, due to which the enthusiasm of the fans turned into disappointment and anger. Amidst the VIP circle, crowd and poor arrangements, even the spectators who bought tickets worth up to Rs 14,000 could not see Messi properly. Within no time the situation worsened, vandalism took place and the entire event became mired in controversies.
What happened at Messi’s event?
Messi reached Kolkata in the morning on the first day of his three-day India tour. After unveiling his statue in the city, he reached Salt Lake Stadium, where thousands of fans were present. But as soon as Messi came to the field, a circle of leaders, officials and security personnel formed around him. The spectators sitting in the stands could not even get a clear glimpse of him. Disappointed fans protested. Within no time, chairs and bottles started being thrown towards the field. Security arrangements broke down, many people entered the ground and stadium property was damaged. Seeing the situation going out of control, Messi’s stadium affair remained incomplete and the organizers of the GOAT Tour immediately threw him out. The police faced difficulty in controlling the crowd, after which the Riot Control Force had to be called.
Fans angry, demand refund
As soon as Messi left for the airport from Kolkata to Hyderabad, the fans present in the stadium intensified their demand for ticket refund. His allegation was that there was no planning in the event and the VIP culture completely marginalized the common audience. Because of this his dream remained unfulfilled and his money also went waste.
Chaos and political turmoil at Messi’s event
This incident created a political storm. With assembly elections approaching, pressure on the government has increased. Calling it gross mismanagement, BJP attacked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that it is an embarrassment for Kolkata at the global level. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala directly raised questions on the organizing ability.
Mamta Banerjee’s apology and investigation committee
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly apologized and said she was shocked by the chaos at the Salt Lake Stadium. He expressed regret to Messi and the fans and announced to form an investigation committee under the chairmanship of retired judge Ashish Kumar Ray to fix responsibility. The committee also includes top officials of the state so that such incidents are not repeated in future.
Opposition within TMC also
Trinamool Congress reacted sharply by distancing itself from the organisers. Senior party leader Kunal Ghosh raised the question whether this event improved the image of Kolkata? Calling it focused on ‘only money and business’, he said the audience’s anger is completely justified. A senior TMC leader said that Kolkata is ashamed of such an incident.
Strict stance of the Governor of West Bengal
Governor CV Anand Bose described the incident as a ‘black day for sports-loving Kolkata’. Questioning the role of both the organizer and the police, he issued 12 directions including judicial inquiry, arrest of the organizer and ticket refund. After this, an FIR was registered against the main organizer Shatadru Dutta and he was arrested.