A 64-foot-tall statue of Lionel Messi in Kolkata's Lake Town neighbourhood has become an unlikely political metaphor — swaying in the wind, held upright by ropes, and now at the centre of a public safety crisis that critics are linking to the broader governance failures of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government that was voted out of power in West Bengal this year.

Structural Deficiencies and Safety Concerns

Authorities who inspected the statue reportedly found that screws in the primary framework had come loose, leaving the structure at risk of collapse. The Lake Town police station received a formal complaint, and the South Dum Dum Municipality executive officer called a meeting to determine next steps. At the time of writing, the statue remains tied in ropes as a stopgap measure to prevent it from toppling onto pedestrians near a busy intersection.

Public works officials have described the structure's condition as critically poor, triggering discussions about whether it should be reinforced or removed entirely, according to reports.

The Statue's Origins and the Man Behind It

The statue was installed by Sujit Bose, a former minister in the TMC government. It was unveiled during Messi's visit to India in December as part of his 'GOAT India Tour', and quickly became a draw for football fans across Kolkata. Bose has since been taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged municipal recruitment scam.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ended TMC's uninterrupted 15-year rule in West Bengal this year with what is being described as an overwhelming mandate, making the statue's deteriorating condition all the more symbolically charged.

Chaos at the Stadium During Messi's Visit

Messi's December appearance at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata was itself marred by serious mismanagement. The Argentine star was accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, but a large contingent of VIPs and officials reportedly surrounded Messi, blocking fans from even a brief sighting of him. Messi is said to have exited earlier than scheduled.

The frustration boiled over: seats were ripped up, the pitch was damaged, and crowds spilled into the streets outside the stadium. West Bengal's then Chief Minister said she was 'deeply disturbed and shocked' by the scenes. The state's new Sports Minister, Nisith Pramanik, has reportedly pledged to take action against those responsible for the chaos and promised to refund ticket money to fans who paid but were unable to see Messi.

A Metaphor That Has Stuck

For many residents, the statue's precarious state has become shorthand for the TMC era's approach to governance — large in ambition, weak in execution. 'Perhaps one reason for Mamata Banerjee's loss was that she let Messi's statue become a public safety hazard,' a Lake Town resident said, also describing the sight as a portrait of a 'wobbly regime.'

Critics argue the statue encapsulates a pattern of grand public gestures with little structural follow-through. The question now being asked by football fans and city planners alike is whether the statue can be salvaged — or whether it will quietly disappear, much like the government that commissioned it.