BJP on Sunday stepped up its assault on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over the chaos and vandalism at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium following Argentine soccer star. Lionel Messi‘s look, accusing the state authorities of gross mismanagement and demanding accountability.Talking to IANS, BJP chief Dilip Ghosh mentioned chief minister Mamata Banerjee should take accountability for the incident, calling it ‘deeply shameful’ for West Bengal. “Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ought to take accountability; merely apologizing won’t be sufficient. Those that got here there after spending cash ought to be compensated. Everybody accountable have to be punished, and authorized motion ought to be taken whether or not it’s the police, officers, or the ministers who have been current on the dais. All of them ought to face authorized proceedings,” he mentioned.
The recent comment adopted BJP chief of the opposition Suvendu Adhikari’s criticism of the state authorities, wherein he accused it of mismanagement and made three calls for, together with Banerjee’s resignation. In a put up onHe alleged that whereas senior Trinamool Congress leaders and their associates surrounded Messi, peculiar followers have been left upset. “Whereas Arup Biswas, Sujit Bose, and their bootlicking entourage of 100+ VIP vultures swarmed Messi like leeches on a massacre, the actual followers? Caught in galleries, watching a measly 5–7 minutes on a large display! No direct view, simply betrayal,” he mentioned.Adhikari additionally accused organizers and the administration of exploiting spectators. “Water bottles banned inside, forcing determined followers to cough up ₹200 for a ₹20 bottle? Traditional TMC extortion racket!” he wrote, calling the episode a “prison assault on West Bengal’s delight”.In the meantime, BJP MP and spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi mentioned at a press convention that the incident had “ashamed each Indian”. Referring to Banerjee’s put up expressing misery, he mentioned, “It’s West Bengal which is deeply devastated beneath your rule… This exhibits the tragic scenario the state has reached.”
What led to the chaos at Salt Lake Stadium
BJP leaders’ remarks got here after chaos erupted on the stadium when hundreds of followers protested after failing to get a transparent view of Messi throughout the much-publicised occasion. Messi, accompanied by Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, arrived round 11.30 am however remained tightly cordoned off by safety and VIPs. His temporary look and early exit sparked anger, resulting in slogan-shouting, vandalism and a police baton cost. What was scheduled to be a virtually two-hour program was lower to beneath half-hour, with many ticket-holders, together with those that paid premium costs, complaining they may not see Messi in any respect. The presence of politicians and dignitaries occupying key areas additional restricted visibility, including to the sense of exclusion amongst followers.Exterior the stadium, disgruntled supporters advised the media that Messi had remained on the sphere solely briefly earlier than being escorted away for security causes. The unrest contrasted with the sooner temper within the metropolis, the place Messi had nearly unveiled a 70-foot iron statue of himself holding the FIFA World Cup trophy on the Sree Bhumi Sporting Membership. a second that drew widespread admiration.