Kolkata, 16 December (H.S.) :

In a major political development following the chaos during Lionel Messi’s programme at Yuva Bharati Krirangan, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accepted the resignation of Sports Minister Arup Biswas from the sports portfolio. The chief minister has also announced that the Sports and Youth Welfare Department will not be handed over to any other minister until the completion of a fair and impartial inquiry, and that she will hold the portfolio herself for the time being.

Arup Biswas had submitted a handwritten resignation letter on plain paper to the chief minister, stating that he wished to step aside to ensure an unbiased investigation into the Yuva Bharati incident. Accepting the resignation, Mamata Banerjee appreciated his intent and wrote in her response that she would personally oversee the department until the inquiry is fully concluded.

Biswas currently holds charge of both the Sports and Youth Welfare Department and the Power Department in the state cabinet. His resignation applies only to the sports portfolio, and he will continue as a minister. The resignation letter, dated December 15, was made public on Tuesday by Trinamool Congress state general secretary Kunal Ghosh. Soon after the offer of resignation, senior officials of the Sports and Youth Welfare Department were summoned to Nabanna, following which official confirmation of the acceptance was issued.

The decision comes in the backdrop of large-scale mismanagement during the football event held at Yuva Bharati on December 13. Thousands of spectators, many of whom had purchased expensive tickets, complained that they could not even catch a glimpse of Lionel Messi. Allegations surfaced that ministers and very important guests crowded around Messi on the field, leaving ordinary spectators feeling cheated. The controversy intensified after videos and photographs showing Arup Biswas in close proximity to Messi went viral on social media, triggering sharp criticism and putting the state government under pressure.

The chief minister had earlier constituted an inquiry committee to probe the incident. Acting on its recommendations, a Special Investigation Team has also been formed. The committee had submitted its preliminary report at Nabanna, following which strict administrative measures were initiated.

As part of the action, state Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar has been issued a show-cause notice, while Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Mukesh Kumar has been asked to respond within 24 hours. Bidhannagar DCP Anish Sarkar, who was in charge on the day of the event, has been placed under suspension pending departmental inquiry. Show-cause notices have also been served on Principal Secretary of the Sports and Youth Welfare Department Rajesh Kumar Sinha, while Yuva Bharati Stadium CEO Devkumar Nandan has been removed from his post.

In a statement issued by the office of Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, the state government said all actions were taken based on the inquiry committee’s recommendations and that stringent steps would follow once the investigation is completed and responsibility is fixed.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh