The fallout from the chaotic Lionel Messi event at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium continues to dominate headlines in West Bengal. The state's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has pledged to hold those responsible accountable, while the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched protests, demanding the release of arrested spectators and reimbursement for tickets. The incident, which saw the football icon leave early amid scenes of vandalism, has sparked a major political row.
TMC's Stance: Accountability and Damage Control
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, addressing reporters at Kolkata airport on Wednesday, stated unequivocally that the Bengal government would hold every person responsible for the mishandling of the event accountable. He expressed regret over the incident that shattered the excitement of thousands of fans who had saved money for months to buy tickets.
"The excitement and enthusiasm with which the spectators arrived was shattered because of the behaviour and high-handedness of a handful," Banerjee said. He emphasized that the scheduled programmes could not take place, Messi left before the stipulated time, and fans were justifiably angry. However, he cautioned against politicizing the issue.
Banerjee defended the state government's response, noting that while Bengal's honour was hit internationally, the administration had taken swift steps. He highlighted the arrests made and the fact that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had apologized. "In the last 40–50 years, this has probably never happened. Even after so many railway accidents, we have not seen the rail minister come forward to apologize," he said, contrasting the state's approach with that of the central government in other incidents.
BJP's Aggressive Protest and Demands
On the same day, the BJP upped its ante. Leader of the opposition in the Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, staged a protest outside the Salt Lake stadium. Accompanied by approximately 30 BJP MLAs, he unsuccessfully tried to force his way into the venue.
Adhikari later held another demonstration before the office of the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate. He demanded the immediate release of all six spectators arrested on charges of vandalism and violence, promising the party would rally around the "ticket-holders who have been arrested."
The BJP leader made serious allegations, claiming a "ticket sale scam" was behind the event's mismanagement. "The stadium chaos, which humiliated Bengal before the international community, broke out because these ministers and their family members huddled around the football stars and were busy clicking selfies with them," Adhikari alleged. He demanded the arrest of two ministers and the reimbursement of ticket prices to all affected spectators.
Aftermath of a Chaotic Spectacle
The football icon's visit to Kolkata on Saturday, February 4th, ended in utter chaos and vandalism at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium). The event, meant to be a friendly exhibition, quickly spiraled out of control due to alleged mismanagement and overcrowding.
The fallout is multi-faceted:
- Political Battle: The event has become a flashpoint between the TMC and BJP, with both sides trading accusations.
- Public Anger: Genuine fans who paid significant sums for tickets feel cheated and let down by the administration's failure to ensure order.
- Administrative Scrutiny: Questions are being raised about planning, security protocols, and crowd management for high-profile events in the state.
- International Embarrassment: As Banerjee noted, the chaotic scenes projected a poor image of Bengal on the global stage, overshadowing the positive intent of hosting a star like Messi.
The state government now faces the dual challenge of delivering on its promise of a thorough investigation and accountability, while managing the political storm stirred by the opposition. The coming days will reveal what concrete actions follow the strong statements from both sides.
