Public Outcry Over Lionel Messi Event Embroils West Bengal Politics

Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, called for an independent probe into alleged mismanagement at a Salt Lake Stadium event featuring Lionel Messi. He claimed misuse of power and public humiliation, urging Governor C V Ananda Bose to order a credible inquiry into the incident.

Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal assembly, penned a letter to Governor C V Ananda Bose, calling for an independent judicial investigation into the alleged administrative failings and public humiliation during an event at Salt Lake Stadium featuring football icon Lionel Messi.

Adhikari accused authorities of transforming the publicly funded stadium into a 'private durbar' for political elites, resulting in harassment of ticket-holding spectators. The chaos escalated on Saturday as fans vandalized the venue after failing to see Messi, blaming organizational mismanagement and restricted views due to VIPs.

In the aftermath, event organizer Satadru Datta was detained, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mandated a high-level inquiry. However, Adhikari criticized the committee as biased, urging for a probe led by an independent panel with no ties to the state government, to uphold public dignity and accountability.

(With inputs from agencies.)