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Senior Trinamool Congress leader Aroop Biswas has expressed his intention to step down from his post as West Bengal’s Sports Minister, amid mounting criticism over the chaos that marred football icon Lionel Messi’s visit to Kolkata earlier this month.
The development comes against the backdrop of serious questions being raised about administrative lapses at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium), where large-scale disorder broke out during the Kolkata leg of Messi’s much-publicised GOAT India Tour.
Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh confirmed the development on social media platform X. “Aroop Biswas has resigned from the post of Sports Minister. He sought relief from his responsibilities by writing a letter to the party chief. According to sources, the Chief Minister has approved the request,” Ghosh said, sharing an image of what he claimed was Biswas’s resignation letter.
In the letter, written in Bengali and addressed to the Chief Minister, Biswas cited the need for an impartial probe into the incident. “Respected Didi, please accept my greetings. In the context of the situation that arose at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan during the visit of legendary footballer Lionel Messi to Kolkata on December 13, 2025, you have already constituted an inquiry committee. Therefore, in the interest of an impartial investigation, I am seeking to be relieved of my responsibilities as Sports Minister. I hope you will consider my request,” the letter states.
The resignation comes as the state government initiated a series of disciplinary and investigative actions following the incident. Senior officials, including Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Mukesh Kumar and Principal Secretary (Youth Affairs and Sports) Rajesh Kumar Sinha, have been asked to explain the lapses within 24 hours. IPS officer Aneesh Sarkar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, has been suspended for alleged negligence, while Deb Kumar Nandan, the CEO of the stadium, has been removed. A Special Investigation Team comprising four senior IPS officers has also been formed to probe the vandalism.
The turmoil erupted on Saturday when sections of spectators turned unruly after failing to get a clear view of Messi during his brief appearance at the packed Salt Lake Stadium. Angry fans hurled bottles and chairs from the stands and vandalised parts of the venue, forcing authorities to deploy the Rapid Action Force to restore order.
Messi, who was accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, arrived in Kolkata in the early hours and later reached the stadium amid heavy security. However, a tight cordon of political leaders, former footballers and organisers around the Argentine star meant that thousands in the stands could barely see him.
Although Messi briefly waved to the crowd and appeared relaxed during his short stay, his lap of honour failed to calm growing frustration. Several planned programmes, including a felicitation of Bengal’s Santosh Trophy-winning team and a ‘Master Class with Messi’ for children, were either curtailed or scrapped altogether.
Tensions peaked after Messi exited the stadium, with boos ringing out and supporters venting anger over steep ticket prices and unmet expectations. Minutes later, barricades were breached, temporary structures were damaged and chaos prevailed for nearly an hour before additional forces brought the situation under control.
