Kerala govt spent Rs 13 lakh to invite football superstar Lionel Messi; he won't be coming: Report

The Kerala government faced criticism over spending on Sports Minister V Aburahiman's Spain visit. The visit aimed to invite football star Lionel Messi. This contradicted earlier assurances of no public funds being used. Messi's visit was eventually cancelled. The opposition Congress party demanded clarification. They alleged contract violations by the government.