Kerala BJP seeks CBI probe into alleged irregularities in proposed visit of Messi and Argentina football team
BJP leader S. Suresh alleges that former CM Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI(M) are involved in the ‘loot' and urges the V.D. Satheesan government to hand over the case to CBI
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged procedural and financial irregularities surrounding a previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government's plan to bring Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team to the state. Senior BJP leader S. Suresh made the demand during a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, August 14, 2026.
Suresh alleged that the plan was fraudulent, involving international connections and financial irregularities. He accused former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI(M)) of involvement in a "loot" scheme and urged the Satheesan government to hand over the case to the CBI. Suresh questioned whether the current UDF government would reach a deal with the previous LDF government and Vijayan to settle the issue.
He claimed that GST evasion allegations had emerged in connection with the matter and demanded a criminal case be registered and the accused arrested. Suresh also alleged that the sponsor had signed the agreement for the Argentina team's proposed visit and later amended it without the State government's knowledge. When questioned about a USD 4-million penalty imposed for contract violation, Suresh asked how it could affect the state's financial position.
He urged the Satheesan government to ensure that the complete 'Vande Mataram' is sung in accordance with the law, emphasizing the state's obligation to abide by parliamentary legislation.
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