Former ace Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia, a Trinamool Congress leader, has resigned from all political positions of the party. Bhaichung tweeted, “As of today, I have resigned from the membership, and all the official and political posts of Trinamool Congress. I am no longer associated with any political party."
As of today I have officially resigned from the membership and all the official and political posts of All India Trinamool Congress party. I am no longer a member or associated with any political party in India. #politics pic.twitter.com/2lUxJcbUDT
— Bhaichung Bhutia (@bhaichung15) February 26, 2018
The BJP said he was welcome to join their party. “It’s a fantastic decision. We would be glad to have him in our ranks,”said Biswapriyo Roychowdhury, vice president of the BJP in West Bengal.
Bhaichung headed many sports bodies of the state, including the North Bengal sports development council, which gives him a state minister rank. He was also the member of a task force formed by Mamata Banerjee government six years ago.
Bhaichung had the contested 2014 Lok Sabha election from Darjeeling, but lost. He got a 2016 election ticket from Siliguri, but lost to his one-time close friend and CPI(M) leader Ashok Bhattacharya.
Though he refused to cite any reason behind his quitting politics as of now, sources have confirmed that he has come closer to BJP and could join the party before 2019 Lok Sabha election.
Mamata Banerjee and Bhaichung became more distant last year during the turmoil in Darjeeling, when Gorkhas in Sikkim openly criticised the chief minister for her handling of the crisis. Pawan Chamling, Sikkim chief minister, led the group which supported the Bimal Gurung faction and criticised the manner in which division was created within the Gorkha community in Darjeeling hills.
Bhaichung Bhutia | Salil Bera
Bhaichung also did not keep mum and openly criticised West Bengal government for initiating violence and police atrocities in Darjeeling.
North Bengal affairs minister Rabindranath Ghosh said the chief minister would consider whether the party should talk to Bhaichung to reconsider his resignation.
“Our party head will take the final decision. But I think Bhaichung's decision was unfortunate,”said Ghosh.
Politically, Bhaichung, who belongs to Bhutia community, was not well placed in North Bengal politics. He did not earn the support of Gorkhas in North Bengal’s Darjeeling, who are a majority in the hills, because of his affiliation with the Trinamool Congress. However, political observers believe that by severing his ties with the TMC, he has tried to come closer to eight lakh Gorkhas living in North Bengal, who are opposed to the Bengal ruling party.
Bhaichung has refused to be drawn into such politics. “I can only say that I am not in politics now,” he said.