Mamata Banerjee’s 1st Reaction After Chaos At Star Footballer’s GOAT Tour Kolkata Event; BJP Tears Into WB CM
Kolkata: Lionel Messi’s Kolkata leg of the GOAT Tour turned into chaos on Saturday (December 13) after fans threw bottles and attempted to breach security at the Salt Lake Stadium event after the football star left the venue early. Angry fans also reportedly resorted to vandalism at the stadium in Kolkata, alleging poor event management. After the incident, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologised to the football star.
“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi. I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” Banerjee said.
Banerjee ordered to constitute an enquiry committee under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Ashim Kumar Ray, with the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Hill Affairs Department, as members to a detailed enquiry into the incident and fix responsibility.
Reacting to the development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed the ruling Mamata Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the chaos during the event.
BJP’s Reaction:
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla called it an “embarrassment” on an international stage. He alleged that the football star was surrounded by TMC leaders and fans were not allowed.
“Total embarrassment on an international stage. A global legend like Messi will see a massive public turnout and yet zero planning & very little security ! CM Mamata Banerjee can’t even organise or manage an event!” Poonawalla said in an X post.
TMC leaders surrounded him and fans were denied ! Messi had to leave asap! What if something would have happened to fans or the guest ? This was like what we say in Bengaluru stampede where many lost lives !” he added.
BJP’s Sukanta Majumdar also slammed the West Bengal Chief Minister. “The tenure of the failed Chief Minister @MamataOfficial, has become synonymous with administrative collapse and pervasive chaos. The Trinamool Congress, in turn, has come to embody arrogance, lawlessness, and the politics of brute force,” Majumdar said.
“Today, thousands of sports enthusiasts gathered at Kolkata’s Yuva Bharati Krirangan, paying hefty sums in the hope of catching a glimpse of international football icon Lionel Messi. Instead, the unruly and barbaric conduct of Trinamool workers—coupled with staggering administrative mismanagement—drove the situation to such an extent that he was forced to turn back,” he added.
The Argentine football legend arrived in the City of Joy early on Saturday morning to an overwhelming reception from fans. He will now visit Hyderabad later in the day and will travel to Mumbai on Sunday as part the GOAT Tour.
