Kolkata, Dec 17: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Wednesday expressed support for TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, who defended the West Bengal government following the chaos at Lionel Messi’s event in Kolkata. Chaturvedi said Banerjee was merely highlighting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s “non-accountability and hypocrisy.”
Speaking to ANI, Chaturvedi stated, “He said that the TMC government had taken action, the state Sports Minister responsible has resigned, and the Chief Minister had also apologised. He only asked whether anyone took responsibility for the Kumbh stampede. He was highlighting BJP’s non-accountability and hypocrisy.”
Earlier, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee defended the state administration, asserting that West Bengal acted swiftly and responsibly compared to similar incidents elsewhere. He pointed to the Kumbh Mela tragedy and the New Delhi railway station stampede, where multiple lives were lost, to contrast the BJP’s handling of crises.
“Within an hour of the incident in Bengal, the Chief Minister apologised and action is being taken against those responsible. That is why BJP loses, and Trinamool defeats them,” Banerjee said.
The remarks came after West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas resigned, taking moral responsibility for the mismanagement during Messi’s high-profile event at Salt Lake Stadium. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accepted his resignation.
Messi’s Kolkata appearance, part of the GOAT Tour 2025, drew football fans from across the state. However, the event descended into chaos as spectators alleged poor visibility and VIPs monopolising Messi’s time, with some resorting to vandalism inside the stadium. The TMC emphasized its swift corrective action in response to the criticism.