Former captain of the Indian Football team, Bhaichung Bhutia has resigned from all political posts of the Trinamool Congress and has given up his membership with the party. He announced his decision on Twitter on Monday.
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. #politicspic.twitter.com/2lUxJcbUDT
— Bhaichung Bhutia (@bhaichung15) February 26, 2018
Bhaichung had joined TMC in 2013 and urged more sportsmen to enter politics. However, his stint in politics was not very successful. He had contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and the Assembly elections in 2016 on the Trinamool’s ticket but had lost on both occasions.
Baichung had come forward in support of a separate state for Gorkhaland last year. He had openly stated, albeit in a polite manner, that he disagreed with Mamata Banerjee on the issue. But he had not hinted at resignation then. “But my resigning from the Trinamool will serve no purpose, my resigning does not mean that Gorkhaland will happen,” the retired footballer had said then.
Although he has stated that he is not currently associated with any political party, it is likely that he will continue to be involved in politics and join another party sooner than later.
