TMC and BJP Target Organisers Over Messi Event Chaos in Kolkata Stadium
TMC and BJP criticise organisers for mismanagement leading to chaos at Messi's Kolkata stadium event.
The highly anticipated Lionel Messi event at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday ended in chaos, drawing sharp criticism from both the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition BJP. Spectators expressed frustration over not being able to see the football icon clearly, with some resorting to vandalism.
TMC State General Secretary questioned the lack of proper planning and accountability. “Why should no action be taken against the organisers for this mess? The Chief Minister could not even welcome Messi properly,” he said, highlighting the disruption caused to the event.
BJP State President and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya accused organisers of greed-driven mismanagement. “Some fraudsters, in their pursuit of money, created this situation,” he claimed, adding that the mishap tarnished Kolkata’s reputation as the city of football.
The opposition also suggested the chaos may have undermined Bengali identity and the city’s sporting culture. BJP leaders stated, “A World Cup-winning football star has come to Kolkata, yet the event suffered complete mismanagement, affecting the city’s pride and love for football.”
TMC Spokesperson Kunal Ghosh voiced concerns for fans’ experience. “Everyone came to see their dream hero. They should have been allowed to enjoy the moment. Why did Messi leave before Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s arrival?” he asked, underscoring the disappointment among spectators.
Fans also criticized West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas for allegedly prioritizing selfies with Messi over crowd management, and demanded accountability from Satadru Dutta, the chief organiser of Messi’s India visit, for the event’s mismanagement. The controversy has sparked a heated political debate over the handling of celebrity events in the state.
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