NEW DELHI: The BJP on Saturday launched a sharp attack on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over the chaos at Kolkata’s Salt Lake stadium during Argentine football star Lionel Messi’s appearance, with Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accusing the state government of gross mismanagement and making three demands, including Banerjee’s resignation.Reacting to the disorder at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Adhikari posted on,He alleged that while senior Trinamool Congress leaders and their associates surrounded Messi, ordinary fans were left disappointed. “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 wrote.Adhikari also accused organizers and the state administration of exploiting spectators. “And get this: Water bottles banned inside, forcing desperate fans to cough up ₹200 for a ₹20 bottle? Classic TMC extortion racket !” he said, adding that the event had been turned into a political photo opportunity and profit exercise. “This isn’t just mismanagement; it’s a criminal assault on West Bengal’s pride and betrayal of our passionate football lovers. Enough is enough!”Listing his demands, Adhikari said, “FULL 100% REFUND for every gallery ticket holder, return every paisa you stole,” called for the “IMMEDIATE ARREST of Sports Minister Arup Biswas, Fire Minister Sujit Bose, and sham organizer Shatadru Dutta,” and asserted that “MAMATA BANERJEE MUST RESIGN for dragging West Bengal’s name through the mud on the global stage.”The BJP leader’s remarks came hours after chaos erupted at the stadium, where thousands of fans protested after failing to get a clear view of Messi during the much-publicised event. Messi, accompanied by Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, arrived at the venue around 11.30 am but remained tightly cordoned off by security and VIPs. His brief appearance and early exit sparked anger among spectators, leading to vandalism, slogan-shouting and a police baton charge to control the crowd.Following the incident, Banerjee expressed shock over the mismanagement and ordered a high-level inquiry. In a post on X, she apologized to Messi and football fans, saying, “I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake stadium.” She announced that a committee headed by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Ashim Kumar Ray would investigate the episode, fix responsibility and recommend corrective measures.The disorder also drew criticism from Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose, who termed it a dark day for Kolkata’s sports culture and called for action against the organisers. Ticket prices for the event ranged from Rs 4,500 to Rs 10,000, and many fans said they had spent large sums only to leave disappointed.The episode has since escalated into a political flashpoint, with the BJP accusing the Trinamool Congress of turning a marquee sporting event into what Adhikari described as a “corrupt circus,” while the state government has promised accountability through a formal probe.
