TMC’s Aroop Biswas, Held Responsible for Lionel Messi ‘GOAT Tour' Chaos in West Bengal, Loses Tollygunge Seat

Aroop Biswas, the ex-sports minister in Mamata Banerjee's cabinet, suffered a defeat in his constituency of Tollyganj. The TMC MLA lost by 6,013 votes against Papia Adhikary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Adhikary received 88,407 votes, while Biswas secured 82,394, ending a long run of Trinamool Congress wins in this urban seat.

Biswas recently gained media attention for the 'Messi Tour Fiasco' when he was held accountable for the mismanagement at the Salt Lake stadium. The incident led to a widespread backlash from the fans who had paid their hard-earned money to catch a glimpse of the World Champion.

However, it was Biswas who took the front row along with his family in one of the most pathetic displays of hospitality in a state that lives and breathes football! Eventually, Biswas had to resign from the post of Sports Minister, but got a second shot at ministership when he was offered the

Aroop Biswas And The 'MESSI' Chaos!

Aroop Biswas resigned as West Bengal's Sports and Youth Welfare Minister in December 2025 following the fallout from a controversial event featuring Lionel Messi at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium, a development that triggered widespread criticism and political repercussions.

The high-profile event, held on 13 December, descended into chaos due to poor crowd management and logistical failures. Thousands of fans who had purchased tickets were unable to see Messi, as reports suggested that access was restricted by heavy VIP movement. The situation escalated into unrest, with angry spectators vandalising stadium property and clashing with security personnel, causing significant damage.

The incident sparked sharp backlash from opposition parties, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party, which termed the episode a "global embarrassment" for the state and demanded accountability. Amid mounting pressure, Biswas stepped down, citing moral responsibility and the need for a fair and impartial investigation into the mismanagement.
In his resignation letter addressed to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Biswas stated that his decision would ensure the integrity of the probe, which was subsequently handed over to a retired High Court judge. Following his exit from the sports portfolio, Banerjee assumed direct charge of the department, while Biswas continued in his role as Power Minister.

The political impact of the controversy extended into the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, where Biswas contested from the Tollygunge constituency but was defeated by a BJP candidate, marking a significant setback in his political career after the Messi event row.