Manoj Tiwary exposes ‘humiliation’ inside West Bengal sports ministry, blames Aroop Biswas for Lionel Messi fiasco

Aroop Biswas was at the centre of attention during Messi's visit to Salt Lake Stadium.

Published on: May 7, 2026, 14:14:10 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Manoj Tiwary slammed former West Bengal minister Aroop Biswas for sidelining him during his tenure as MoS for Sports and Youth Affairs. After TMC's defeat at the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections, Tiwary resigned from the party and went on to attack its hierarchy on social media.

Manoj Tiwary fired some big accusations towards Aroop Biswas.

Tiwary, a former Indian cricketer, joined politics in 2021. It is not just Tiwary, who has slammed Biswas since TMC's defeat. The organiser of Lionel Messi's India Tour, Satadru Dutta, also broke his silence, blaming Biswas for the controversy in Kolkata.

Also Read: ‘He will try to harm you’: Gambhir branded a bully with a massive ego, confronted Kohli out of habit; players ‘unhappy’

‘Arup Biswas would not allow any good work to happen’

Speaking in a Facebook video, he said, "When I was made MoS after winning, I thought I would be able to bring a lot of development and improvement in this department."

"But what I saw was that Arup Biswas would not allow any good work to happen there. Why? Because the MoS post was just a lollipop given to me and I was kept aside. Other than having tea and biscuits, I had no work in the Sports Department."

Biswas was at the centre of attention during Messi's visit to Salt Lake Stadium. The minister was seen clicking photos with Messi as other dignitaries began to surround the Argentine. It was so crowded in the field that fans who paid for tickets didn't get to see him from the stands. In anger, the Argentine departed the venue within 25 minutes. In reaction, Duttra was arrested at the airport and was kept behind bars for more than a month.

"You all saw the Messi incident. I already knew what the atmosphere was like. At every stage, they would insult me - they wouldn't call me onto the stage properly. Even during the final prize ceremony, I had gone to the ground, but they deliberately would not call me. They could not tolerate my presence there either," Tiwary said.

"Experiencing those feelings again and again, I understood that if I kept going there, they would repeatedly insult and humiliate me. That's why, when the Messi episode happened – when Messi had come, as you all know – I did not go to the ground. I knew this kind of incident was going to happen."

Pointing his finger at the former minister, he added, "You all saw that because of Arup Biswas, football lovers across our state and across India could not properly see Messi, because Messi left within five minutes. Such a huge opportunity was wasted only because of Arup Biswas."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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