West Bengal Sports Minister Indranil Khan on Wednesday, 17 June levelled sharp allegations against the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, charging that the state's Sports Department had been reduced to an “extension of a club” under former minister Aroop Biswas. Khan also flagged the “extremely poor” state of sports infrastructure across West Bengal, signalling a sweeping review of the sector.

The Allegation Against the TMC Sports Department

Speaking to reporters, Khan did not mince words. “The department had been turned into an extension of a club. The former minister had effectively converted it into an extension office of his personal club. Moreover, no one had any orientation about the Youth Services department for so many years,” he said.

Khan alleged further that government staff had been sidelined in favour of outsiders. “The club’s members and external agencies were running the government. This cannot happen. The government will be run by its staff, and according to the opinion of the people,” he added. The accusations point to a broader charge of institutional capture — where a public department was allegedly steered by private interests rather than elected administration.

The Crumbling State of Bengal’s Stadiums

Beyond political allegations, Khan painted a stark picture of neglect on the ground. “Sports were too much neglected in West Bengal. It has been neglected to such an extent that the running tracks in many stadiums have deteriorated. In some places, the flooring is damaged, while in others, water is leaking from the roof, which defeats the very purpose of having an indoor stadium,” he said.

The minister specified that among outdoor venues, only Eden Gardens and the Salt Lake Stadium are in acceptable condition. The rest, he said, are in “very bad” shape. To assess the full extent of the damage, Khan announced district-level tours beginning next week, with detailed infrastructure reports to be filed from each district.

The Messi Incident: Water at ₹200, Passes at ₹20,000

Khan also revisited the controversy surrounding footballer Lionel Messi’s Kolkata event, which took place under the previous TMC administration. According to the minister, a ₹10 bottle of water was allegedly sold for ₹200, and free passes were reportedly sold for ₹15,000–₹20,000.

“The way the then Sports Minister behaved with Lionel Messi was inappropriate. There was forceful hugging and other such actions. Messi then left the stadium, apparently upset by the way he was treated,” Khan said. He charged that the conduct “insulted not only a player of Messi’s stature but also footballers and sports lovers across West Bengal.”

Khan held the Mamata Banerjee-led government directly accountable for the law-and-order failure at the event, saying it “has to answer the people of West Bengal.”

What Comes Next

The new Sports Minister’s district tour, beginning next week, is expected to produce a ground-level audit of Bengal’s sports infrastructure — the findings of which could shape the new government’s rehabilitation roadmap. With allegations of institutional misuse and physical neglect now on record, pressure is mounting on the TMC to respond formally to the charges levelled by Khan.