Former India batter Manoj Tiwary has launched a sharp public attack on Aroop Biswas, a former West Bengal minister, accusing him of trying to sideline him during Tiwary’s stint as the MoS for Sports and Youth Affairs. Tiwary’s outburst came after the Trinamool Congress suffered a defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections, after which he resigned from the party and took aim at its leadership on social media.
Quick facts
- Manoj Tiwary accuses Aroop Biswas of obstructing his work during Tiwary’s term as MoS for Sports and Youth Affairs.
- Tiwary says he joined politics in 2021 and left the party after the TMC’s loss in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections.
- Satadru Dutta, described as the organiser of Lionel Messi’s India tour, also blamed Biswas after the controversy in Kolkata.
- Tiwary says Biswas reduced his role to “tea and biscuits” and kept him away from meaningful work.
- Tiwary links the Messi Salt Lake Stadium incident to Biswas, alleging ticketed fans could not properly see Messi and that Messi left quickly in anger.
- Dutta was reportedly arrested at the airport and kept in custody for more than a month following the Messi episode.
Tiwary, who transitioned from cricket to politics in 2021, insisted that his criticism of Biswas is not limited to him alone. He claimed that multiple voices have come forward after the party’s setbacks, suggesting the minister was repeatedly at the centre of disputes following the TMC’s defeat.
Satadru Dutta, the organiser associated with Lionel Messi’s India tour, also broke his silence and placed the blame on Biswas for what unfolded in Kolkata. Dutta’s remarks added another layer to the controversy surrounding the Argentine’s visit to Salt Lake Stadium.
Tiwary’s claims in a Facebook video
Speaking in a Facebook video, Tiwary said that when he was appointed as MoS after winning, he believed he would be able to drive development and improvement in the department. However, he alleged that Biswas did not allow “any good work” to take place.
In his narration, Tiwary argued that the post itself was treated as a token position—something he described as a “lollipop”—and that he was effectively kept aside from decision-making. He said the only routine he was given in the Sports Department involved minor formalities, rather than real responsibility.
“When I was made MoS after winning, I thought I would be able to bring a lot of development and improvement in this department,” Tiwary said. He then added that Biswas allegedly blocked progress and that he was confined to superficial tasks, including nothing beyond tea and biscuits.
Tiwary also claimed that the environment he experienced was one where he would be insulted at every stage. He said he was not called properly onto stages and that even at the final prize ceremony, despite going to the ground, he was deliberately not invited.
According to Tiwary, those repeated experiences led him to conclude that continuing to show up would only bring more humiliation. He said that when the Messi episode happened—once the superstar arrived—he chose not to go to the venue because he already knew what kind of incident would follow.
Pointing directly at the former minister, Tiwary said the Messi moment was harmed because Biswas allegedly prevented football fans from seeing the Argentine properly. He claimed that Messi left within a very short window, arguing that a major opportunity was wasted due to Biswas.
The Messi Salt Lake Stadium controversy
Biswas, during Messi’s Salt Lake Stadium visit, was reportedly seen drawing attention as he clicked photos with the Argentine. The episode unfolded in a crowded field environment where other dignitaries began surrounding Messi soon after, leaving ticket-paying supporters unable to see him from the stands.
Tiwary alleged that the crowding and the resulting inability for fans to get a proper view drove Messi to leave the venue in anger within 25 minutes. In the aftermath, Dutta was reportedly arrested at the airport and kept behind bars for more than a month.
Tiwary said he had already anticipated the atmosphere around the celebrations, stating that at multiple stages people would insult him and that he would not be called onto platforms as expected. He framed his decision to stay away from the ground during the Messi-related functions as a response to recurring treatment.
He concluded by reiterating that the Messi opportunity across West Bengal and beyond was lost because fans could not properly watch Messi, and that the departure within five minutes was a consequence of Biswas’s actions.
