TMC and BJP Clash Over Chaos During Messi’s Event in Kolkata

A political confrontation erupted in West Bengal following chaos during an event featuring Argentine football star Lionel Messi at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. This incident prompted the state government to establish a three-member enquiry committee, led by retired judge Justice Ashik Kumar Ray, to investigate the disturbances that took place on March 15, 2024.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her dismay over the situation, stating that she was “deeply disturbed and shocked” by the mismanagement at the event. In a post on the social media platform X, Banerjee apologized to Messi and his fans for the unfortunate occurrences that marred what should have been a celebratory occasion. She noted that she was en route to the stadium to join thousands of fans eager to see the football legend when chaos ensued.

The incident quickly sparked a political row between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the principal opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP accused the TMC-led government and local police of negligence, asserting that the mishap was indicative of the ruling party’s incompetence. Union Minister and BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar said, “This incident once again proves that vulgarity is just another name of TMC,” criticizing the government for allowing the event to devolve into chaos.

In response, the TMC distanced itself from the incident, attributing the chaos to the event’s organizers. TMC spokesperson Debangshu Bhattacharya stated, “The incident is a result of the failure of the organisers. The state government or the TMC are in no way associated with this.” He emphasized that Aroop Biswas, the state sports minister, attended the event as a guest and had no direct involvement with the organization.

Tensions escalated as the TMC alleged that individuals in the stadium were carrying saffron flags and chanting “Jay Shree Ram” slogans, suggesting that the BJP was attempting to undermine the state’s reputation. Bhattacharya remarked, “BJP, in a bid to malign West Bengal, can go to any extent,” indicating a need for further investigation into the origins of the disruptions.

The Congress party also joined the fray, demanding accountability from the TMC. Congress leader Suman Roy Chaudhuri criticized the state administration for permitting the event to proceed without adequate security measures, stating, “They can’t shrug off their responsibility.”

In an effort to address the unrest, BJP legislator and leader of the opposition Suvendu Adhikari sent a letter to Governor CV Ananda Bose, requesting the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the incident. Adhikari contended, “This committee is structurally compromised, legally infirm and morally indefensible,” suggesting that the government’s response was insufficient to quell public outrage.

Governor Bose visited the stadium on the evening of March 15 to assess the situation firsthand. He stated, “I want an explanation from the authorities as to why such a thing happened. Many skeletons in the cupboard will be unearthed,” indicating his intent to scrutinize the events that unfolded.

As the political battle continues, the outcome of the enquiry committee’s investigation remains to be seen. The chaos at Salt Lake Stadium not only disrupted an anticipated event but also ignited a significant political clash that highlights ongoing tensions in West Bengal’s political landscape.