Bhaichung Bhutia, former Indian Football Captain has expressed an interest in getting politically involved in forthcoming assembly elections in Sikkim.
In the past, he has unsuccessfully contested as a Trinamool Congress candidate from Darjeeling for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and 2016 Siliguri assembly constituencies.
Bhaichung Bhutia had gradually distanced himself from the Trinamool Congress over the extreme measures adopted by the Mamta Banerjee run Government’s measure to handle the 104-day Gorkhaland agitation in Darjeeling Hills last year.
“Bhaichung was very unhappy after several people lost their lives in the agitation. He felt that the Sikkim MPs did not take the necessary measures to discuss the problem in the Parliament.” A close aid of the footballer stated.
Trinamool Congress’s National Spokesperson Derek O’Brien has refused comment on the situation.
Towards the end of 2017, many political leaders from Sikkim were lining up to meet the former football captain.
There were also demands from the people of his home state that the footballer take an active interest and politically involve himself in the betterment of Sikkim.
A senior party person however said, “We have spoken to Bhaichung and he has assured us that he is not joining any other political party. He has however expressed his desire to be an integral part of a larger political platform. If he does decide to join any other political party, there will be no hard feelings from our end.”