Messi Controversy in Bengal: Politics, Power, and Accountability
Messi visited Kolkata, but Messi Controversy still continues. As a result, Sports Minister Arup Biswas expressed his wish to resign to his respected leader. Subsequently, Mamata Banerjee accepted the offer and praised him. However, she added that the Sports Department would remain under his control until a neutral investigation ends.
Meanwhile, Messi in Kokata has forced the West Bengal government issued show-cause notices to DGP Rajeev Kumar. It also served notices to Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Mukesh Kumar and Youth and Sports Department Principal Secretary Rajesh Sinha. In addition, the government suspended Bidhannagar DCP Anish Sarkar. In short, the West Bengal government and the Trinamool Congress played this role yesterday in the Messi-related incident.
But, our critical mind does not feel satisfied with this news alone. Instead, our inquisitive nature tries to read between the lines. Some people may call this fault-finding or unnecessary nitpicking also. However, we have no choice.
This is because Arup Biswas and Rajeev Kumar belong to Mamata Banerjee’s closest circle. Therefore, let us place yesterday’s events under a microscope and examine them more closely. Moreover, Messi in Kokata and Messi controversy has tarnished the entire West Bengal.
Messi Controversy: Arup Biswas
Indeed, Arup Biswas announced his intent of resignation, and Mamata Banerjee accepted it. But, the entire episode took places in social media. In addition, Arup Biswas did not sign the letter. He also did not write it on his department’s letterhead. Instead, he wrote it on a plain white sheet of paper. He also addressed as “Respected Didi”.
Thus, the Chief Minister attached that letter and sent it to the Chief Secretary. Meanwhile, the Governor, who heads the state administration, received no information. There was also no official gazette notification also. In Contrast, in Indian democracy, this goes against established convention.
At the same time, Arup Biswas continued as a minister in the cabinet in his role as Power Minister. In other words, he still remained in a position to influence the investigation.
Rajiv Kumar: An ideal mix of power and politics
Finally, let’s focus on Rajeev Kumar. Nevertheless, on 3 February 2019, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sat on a protest. She did so because CBI officers tried to enter the residence of the then Kolkata Police Commissioner. Hence, Kolkata witnessed a wonderful unprecedented drama. Nonetheless, the issue related to the investigation into the Saradha scam.
Critics say that when Rajeev Kumar served in the Bidhannagar Commissionerate, he destroyed or concealed some evidence in the Saradha case. So, we do not know whether this is true.
However, everyone knows that the Chief Minister shares a very close relationship with Rajeev Kumar. Critics also use a saying: someone is useful only while the work lasts. Now there are reports also that Rajeev Kumar may retire as early as January.
Therefore, such a show-cause notice was clearly undesirable at the final stage of his career. Hence, it appears that Mamata Banerjee no longer needs Rajeev Kumar.
Messi Controversy: Investigation Committee (SIT)
Now let us talk about the investigation committee, initiated because of Messi Controversy. First, let us take a closer look at its members. They include ADG (Law and Order) Javed Shamim, ADG South Bengal Supratim Sarkar, Director (Security) Piyush Pandey, and Barrackpore Police Commissioner Muralidhar. In other words, all of them are subordinates of Rajeev Kumar.
Moreover, IPS and IAS officers place great importance on rank and show due diligence. They also function as a close-knit group. So, the real question remains:
- Can an ordinary officer truly investigate his superior?
- Even if the law allows it, can such an officer remain neutral?
- Is this even possible within a disciplined and hierarchical system?
Mamata Banerjee: Dual Stance
Not long ago, we saw the Chief Minister’s role in the horrific Abhaya case in Kolkata. First, junior doctors led a long movement. Later, they began a hunger strike. At the same time, the Doctors’ Forum protested, and citizens launched spontaneous “reclaim the night” marches.
Together, these actions turned into a prolonged social movement. However, Mamata Banerjee did not accept their demands. Instead, the movement lost momentum due to what many saw as its own miscalculations.
After that, we witnessed retaliatory actions by the West Bengal government. As a result, Aniket Mahato had to run all the way to the Supreme Court.
Stance of Mamata Banerjee regarding Messi in Kokata
So, a natural question arises: why did Mamata take such strong steps so quickly this time? The answer seems simple. Ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, Mamata Banerjee appears to be, at least slightly, on the back foot.
People’s memory is not that weak. Before the 2016 elections, when the Narada sting operation became public, Mamata Banerjee repeatedly said during her campaign that she would not have given tickets to those leaders if she had known earlier. In that operation, hidden cameras clearly showed how several leaders and ministers accepted bundles of unaccounted cash wrapped in towels.
As a result, Mamata Banerjee realized that the incident could trigger a strong negative reaction among the public. However, despite making those statements before the election, she appointed each of them as ministers after the polls.
Therefore, this may be an attempt to eyewash to restore the confidence of West Bengal Voters. As a result, it seems that the West Bengal government suddenly is trying to show its commitment to upholding its duty to the state.
The answer of the million-dollar question whether it will yield, remains hidden in the womb of the future finally.
