Trinamool Congress leader found dead at a hotel in Bengal’s Mandarmani
A Trinamool Congress leader was found dead at a hotel at the Mandarmani sea resort in West Bengal's East Midnapore district on Saturday morning, triggering tension in the area.
Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Friday launched his political party “Hamro Sikkim” here. He said he “felt like an outsider” in the Trinamool Congress. The party will be based in his native state Sikkim.
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Bhaichung Bhutia had quit the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in February.
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While floating his party, Bhutia said that even after being part of West Bengal politics and playing for top Bengal clubs for years, he could not get rid of the “outsider” tag and now he had returned to his roots.
“I was dropped from the top in the TMC. Let’s not forget that when I contested from Siliguri, there was an outsider tag on me as well. I played in Bengal for many years, but the tag was always there. My commitment to the TMC was not there. I think it was unfair on my part to be in a party I am not commited to,” he said.
“Now, I am going back. My family, my house, all are in Sikkim. I am the son of the soil. Now, I will be able to commit myself. I think I can contribute much more here,” Bhutia added.
Bhutia said his party would try to rise above the petty politics of caste and religion, and make the state graft free as it had become a safe haven for corrupt people under the present state government.
On 26 February, Bhutia had announced his decision of quitting TMC on Twitter saying that: “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,” he said.
The 41-year-old former India captain had joined the Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress (AITMC) when it came to power in West Bengal in 2011.
(With agency inputs)
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