PM Narendra Modi Slams All India Trinamool Congress Over Lionel Messi Kolkata Event, Calls It “Globally Embarrassing”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), criticising the handling of a high-profile football event involving global superstar Lionel Messi in Kolkata last December. Addressing a political rally, the Prime Minister alleged that the management of the event was handed over to a “syndicate,” leading to what he described as “shameful images” that were seen across the world. He suggested that the incident reflected poorly on the state’s governance and organizational standards. Modi’s remarks come amid escalating political tensions in West Bengal, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensifying its criticism of the ruling TMC ahead of upcoming elections. The Prime Minister did not elaborate on specific incidents but implied that mismanagement during an event associated with a global icon like Messi damaged India’s international image. The football event had drawn massive attention due to Messi’s global popularity, with fans and stakeholders expecting world-class organization. However, the Prime Minister’s comments have now added a political dimension to the discussion, reigniting debates around governance, event management, and accountability in the state.