'Every Indian Ashamed': BJP Tears into Mamata Banerjee Over Mismanagement at Messi's Kolkata Event

The political storm over the chaos at Lionel Messi's Kolkata appearance intensified on Saturday, with the Bharatiya Janata Party mounting a fierce attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress government.

What was billed as a landmark moment for football fans in the city instead spiralled into disorder, sparking outrage from spectators and sharp criticism from the opposition.

BJP Calls Event a Betrayal of Football Fans

Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, described the mismanagement at Salt Lake Stadium as a blow to the state's pride. He termed the fiasco a "criminal assault on West Bengal's pride" and accused the government of betraying passionate football lovers who had paid heavily for tickets.

Adhikari demanded Mamata Banerjee's resignation and called for a full refund of tickets. He also sought the resignations of sports minister Arup Biswas, fire minister Sujit Bose and the event organiser, whom he named as Shatadru Dutta.

Sharp Attack on VIP Culture and Alleged Extortion

In a strongly worded post on X, Adhikari lashed out at the ruling party, writing, "The 'Khela Hobe' Circus Turns into a TMC Loot-Fest at Yuva Bharati! What a pathetic spectacle in Kolkata today! Our football-crazed Bengali Fans, dreaming of a glimpse of the GOAT Lionel Messi, shelled out thousands for tickets, only to be treated like second-class citizens in their own state (sic)."

He further alleged that ministers and their entourages crowded around the football icon while fans were left watching briefly on screens. "While Arup Biswas, Sujit Bose, and their bootlicking entourage of 100+ VIP vultures swarmed Messi like leeches on a bloodbath, the real fans? Stuck in galleries, staring at a measly 5-7 minutes on a giant screen! No direct view, just betrayal," he said.

Adhikari also claimed that spectators were barred from carrying water bottles and were forced to buy water inside the stadium at inflated prices. "Classic TMC extortion racket! These so-called 'leaders' turned a sporting icon's visit into their personal photo-op and profit bonanza," he alleged.

Demand for Independent Probe and More Political Fire

The BJP leader wrote to Governor C V Ananda Bose, urging an independent investigation by a sitting Calcutta High Court judge. In his letter, he said, "Ordinary football lovers, who paid exorbitant sums in good faith, were denied not only a meaningful view but even the basic dignity owed to a lawful consumer of a public event. The unchecked VIP invasion, the monopolisation of space by Ministers and their entourages, the deliberate obstruction of sightlines, and the profiteering through arbitrary restrictions collectively amount to institutionalised harassment under colour of authority."

Union minister Sukanta Majumdar also targeted the Trinamool Congress, alleging corruption and black marketing of tickets in connection with the event.

Chaos, Apology and Messi's Next Stop

Messi's short appearance at the stadium left fans deeply disappointed, with anger spilling over into vandalism. Bottles and chairs were thrown from the stands, barricades were broken and crowds tried to storm the ground, which had earlier been refurbished for the 2017 Under-17 World Cup. Many fans alleged that the programme had turned into a VIP spectacle, claiming that actors and political leaders surrounded Messi while paying spectators, who spent between ₹4,000 and ₹25,000, could barely see him.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later apologised to fans and announced a high-level probe. Police said the event organiser has been arrested and assured that ticket refunds will be issued.

After the Kolkata episode, Messi travelled to Hyderabad as part of his G.O.A.T India Tour 2025. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy welcomed him at the Falaknuma Palace, PTI reported. The football star is scheduled to take part in a 7v7 exhibition match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, with authorities saying arrangements have been made to prevent a repeat of the Kolkata chaos.