Bengal min resigns amid criticism over Messi event

West Bengal sports minister Aroop Biswas has resigned amid mounting criticism over the mismanagement of football icon Lionel Messi's event at the Salt Lake stadium last week.

- Tanmay Chatterjee [e-mail]

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee accepted his resignation on Tuesday and decided to keep the sports portfolio with her for the time being, a senior TMC leader said.

Biswas, however, will retain charge of the power department. He had written to Banerjee on Monday seeking to be relieved of his responsibilities as sports minister. "CM Banerjee accepted Biswas's resignation letter. She will look after the sports department until the inquiries ordered into the incident are over," a state minister told HT, declining to be named.