How Lionel Messi was dragged into an Indian election battle
The BJP has latched on to the crowd chaos during Messi’s visit to West Bengal to demand the resignation of the state’s chief minister
The visit descended into chaos as crowd unrest prompted arrests and an apology from West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
On Saturday, chants of “Messi, Messi” filled the air in Kolkata’s 85,000-capacity Salt Lake Stadium when the Argentinian national football team captain appeared. However, many spectators were disappointed as they could barely catch a glimpse of their hero, as officials and celebrities surrounded Messi when the player from Major League Soccer club Inter Miami walked around the pitch before he was quickly escorted out.
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Fans vandalise India stadium after Messi’s abrupt exit
Frustrated fans vented their anger by ripping out seats in the stadium, hurling water bottles and invading the pitch, prompting BJP’s state leaders to demand the resignation of Banerjee, one of the longest serving state chief ministers.