In a major blow to Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee, former star footballer Bhaichung Bhutia on Monday resigned from…
Former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia (Photo: IANS)
In a major blow to Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee, former star footballer Bhaichung Bhutia on Monday resigned from the party.
In a tweet, Bhutia said: “As of today I have officially resigned from the membership and all the official and political posts of All India Trinamool Congress party.”
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“I am no longer a member or associated with any political party in India,” he said.
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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 41-year-old former India captain joined the Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress (AITMC) when it came to power in West Bengal in 2011.
Bhutia unsuccessfully contested in both Assembly and Parliamentary elections. In 2014, he contested the Lok Sabha Elections from Darjeeling but lost out to BJP’s SS Ahluwalia.
The 2008 Padma Shri award winner also contested the state assembly elections in 2016 but was defeated by CPI(M) veteran Ashok Bhattacharya in Siliguri.
In September 2017, Bhutia went against the party line to express his support for a separate Gorkhaland and many believe that to be the trigger behind his decision to quit the party.
At present, Bhutia is actively involved with the Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools in New Delhi.
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