GANGTOK: Indian football legend and Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) leader Bhaichung Bhutia has announced his decision to quit electoral politics.

The announcement came on Tuesday (June 25), marking a significant shift in the political landscape of Sikkim.

Bhaichung Bhutia, who recently contested the Sikkim assembly elections from the Barfung assembly segment on an SDF ticket, faced a defeat at the hands of Riksal D Bhutia, the candidate from Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM).

This electoral loss appears to have been a decisive factor in his decision to step away from active politics.

“After the 2024 election results, I have had the realisation that electoral politics is simply not for me. I am therefore quitting all forms of electoral politics with immediate effect,” Bhaichung Bhutia said.