West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas Offers Resignation Following Lionel Messi Event Chaos in Kolkata

Aroop Biswas was observed alongside Lionel Messi during the Kolkata event.

Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal minister Aroop Biswas, facing criticism for the disorganization during football legend Lionel Messi's Kolkata visit, has proposed his resignation to ensure a fair investigation into the incident. According to sources, Biswas submitted a letter to Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee yesterday, volunteering to relinquish his position as the state's minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Power and Non-Conventional Energy, and Housing.

In his letter to Banerjee, Biswas reportedly wrote: "Didi, do take my respects. On December 13, 2025, global footballer Messi came to Vivekananda Yuva Bharti Krirangan and there was a situation. You have already formed a probe committee. For an impartial probe, I want to be relieved as the sports minister of West Bengal. I would like you to please accept my request." Sources indicate that while the resignation remains unaccepted, Biswas will temporarily cease functioning as sports minister during the ongoing investigation. Mamata Banerjee has assumed responsibility for the sports portfolio in the interim.

The Chief Minister's Office released a statement acknowledging the "sentiment and intention" of the sports minister. "I think he is very much correct and until and unless the impartial inquiry is over, the Sports Department will be looked after by me for the time being," stated the CMO.

The West Bengal government has established a Special Investigation Team comprising three IPS officers to examine the chaos at Kolkata's Salt Lake stadium on Saturday when Messi visited as part of the G.O.A.T India tour. The state government has sidelined several high-ranking officials, including Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Mukesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police Annesh Sarkar, and Principal Secretary for Sports and Youth Affairs Rajesh Sinha. Additionally, Deb Kumar Nandan has been removed from his position as CEO of Vivekananda Yuva Bharti Krirangan, commonly referred to as Salt Lake Stadium.

Aroop Biswas, a loyal associate of Mamata Banerjee who frequently accompanies her at public events, became the center of attention following the Messi event fiasco. Football enthusiasts from across Bengal had invested thousands on tickets for the Salt Lake stadium event to see the football icon. However, during Messi's brief 30-minute appearance, he was encircled by VIPs including ministers and sports administrators. This frustrated fans who became disruptive after Messi's departure.

Many disgruntled fans criticized Aroop Biswas, accusing him of monopolizing Messi and arranging photographs for his family members with the football star, while paying fans struggled to catch a glimpse. Some complained that they attended to see Messi but instead only saw Aroop Biswas.

The incident during the Messi event in Kolkata, often regarded as the Mecca of Indian football, embarrassed the state government, despite being a privately organized event. Chief Minister Banerjee expressed being "deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement." She stated, "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."

The BJP criticized the Bengal government's response as "too little, too late." BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla commented, "That is what can be said about Mamata Banerjee taking the resignation of Aroop Biswas and now holding the charge of Sports Ministry. The entire world saw, the entire nation saw what a global embarrassment was caused, thanks to TMC, which made the entire Messi gala into a messy affair."

Poonawalla further stated that Bengal police falls under Mamata Banerjee's authority, and she cannot escape responsibility for the fiasco. "There was corruption, and it was institutionalised corruption that took place. Fans were cheated. Till now, the fans have not got the money back. Arup Biswas was trying desperately to take his own selfies, but it was not just him. There were other ministers like Sujit Bose and we have also seen the manner in which he continues to be patronised by the TMC. They should arrest him. They should take legal and penal action against all the corruption that was done. It is a crime that deserves no less than arrest, and Mamata Banerjee herself should be tendering her resignation for the global embarrassment she has caused."