Kolkata, May 6: Satadru Dutta, the organiser and promoter behind Lionel Messi’s much‑publicized “GOAT India Tour 2025,” has launched a scathing attack on the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) following its defeat in the Bengal elections.

Dutta, who spent 37 days in jail after Messi’s chaotic visit to Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, has threatened to file a ₹100‑crore defamation suit against the party.

In a series of social media posts, Dutta accused the TMC of destroying three years of his hard work and tarnishing his reputation. He vowed to pursue the case relentlessly, even taking it to the Supreme Court if necessary.

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“Just because you lost the elections doesn’t mean you’ve been punished. I will file a defamation case and fight till the very end,” Dutta declared after the poll results.

He singled out outgoing Bengal sports minister Aroop Biswas, blaming him for the fiasco at Salt Lake.

According to Dutta, Biswas and his associates crowded Messi for photographs, irritating the football legend and sparking unrest among fans that led to vandalism and an abrupt end to the visit.

“Repeatedly, I told him not to click pictures. But he misused his power. He will have to answer for this,” Dutta said.

The fallout saw Dutta jailed under two police cases, but he insists the responsibility lies squarely with Biswas. Former cricketer Manoj Tiwary echoed the criticism, resigning from the TMC and accusing Biswas of blocking Bengal’s sports policy, saying he “did not know the A, B, C, D of sports.”

The controversy comes as the BJP swept the Bengal elections, ending TMC’s 15‑year rule with a commanding 207 seats. For Dutta, however, the battle is far from over — he is determined to clear his name and hold the party accountable.

About ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’

Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour 2025 marked his first visit to India since 2011 and became a milestone in the nation’s sporting calendar.

The journey began in Kolkata on December 13, where Messi, joined by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, was honoured at the Salt Lake Stadium.

However, overcrowding and mismanagement forced him to leave within 25 minutes, sparking unrest and vandalism. Despite the chaos, Messi virtually unveiled a 70-foot statue, meant to be a tribute but came across as trolling, and met dignitaries including Sourav Ganguly and Shah Rukh Khan.

From Kolkata, Messi travelled to Hyderabad, inaugurating the GOAT Cup exhibition match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium and attending a private dinner at Falaknuma Palace with Tollywood stars and political leaders.

In Mumbai, he engaged in promotional events, charity ramp walks, and youth football clinics, strengthening grassroots connections.

The final stop in New Delhi featured cultural programmes, fan meets, and workshops, cementing his bond with Indian supporters.