Following the chaotic scenes that unfolded during Lionel Messi's recent appearance in Kolkata, the West Bengal government has taken swift action to address the mismanagement and public outrage. Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee affirmed the government's commitment to accountability, stating that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologized within an hour of the incident.
The event, intended to be a celebration of football and a chance for fans to see Messi, was marred by organizational failures, leading to widespread frustration and even vandalism inside the Salt Lake Stadium. Spectators, many of whom paid exorbitant prices for tickets, found their views obstructed by VIPs and politicians vying for photo opportunities with the Argentinian star. Messi's brief appearance, coupled with the chaos, triggered angry reactions from the public.
In response, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accepted the resignation of Sports Minister Aroop Biswas, who took moral responsibility for the mismanagement. While stepping down from his sports portfolio, Biswas remains a cabinet minister, continuing to oversee the power department. Banerjee has assumed direct charge of the Sports and Youth Welfare Department for the time being.
The government has also initiated action against senior officials deemed responsible for the lapses. A high-level inquiry committee was formed, and based on its preliminary findings, the Director General of Police (DGP), Rajeev Kumar, and other senior officers have been show-caused. A deputy commissioner has also been suspended. Furthermore, the main organizer of the event was arrested following an official complaint. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to conduct a detailed probe into the incident, following the recommendations of the inquiry committee.
Abhishek Banerjee defended the West Bengal government's response, contrasting it with the handling of similar incidents in other parts of the country. He pointed to tragedies like the Kumbh Mela stampede and the New Delhi railway station incident, where, according to him, accountability was not taken to the same extent. Banerjee emphasized that in the Messi event case, the government acted swiftly, offering an apology and initiating action against those responsible.
The incident has triggered a political storm, with opposition parties criticizing the government's handling of the event and demanding accountability at the highest levels. The BJP has seized upon the issue to attack the TMC government, alleging mismanagement and failure in planning and execution. However, TMC leaders have defended the government's actions, highlighting the swift response and the measures taken to address the shortcomings. The scale and speed of the administrative action have underscored the government's attempt to demonstrate accountability amid opposition attacks and public outrage.
