Bhaichung Bhutia, former Indian football captain has confirmed the news of him entering the political field of his home state, Sikkim.
“Yes, it is true that I would like to enter the political scene of Sikkim and contribute towards my home state in a much bigger way. I would also like to declare that I am willing to do so only with the party or people that has only the interest of the state in mind and has no self-interest in mind,” Bhaichung Bhutia said while addressing the media in Gangtok on Monday.
The football icon announced his resignation from Trinamool Congress (TMC) on February 26 last, while also clearing the air that he is no longer associated with any political party of the country.
While speculations are rife regarding the next step of his political career, the 41-year-old former football star will either join a regional party or a national party or may even float his own political outfit.
Bhaichung elaborated on his decision to leave TMC by sharing that while he learnt a lot during the two elections, he experienced that he was being looked at as an outsider by the people and also by some of the members of the party.
Bhaichung contested from TMC for the Lok Sabha seat in 2014 and Siliguri Assembly Constituency in 2016.
Looking back, however, he said he does not hold any grudge against anybody as he can understand their point of view.
He further added that he did not see eye to eye with many members of the party on how they handle certain big issues such as the Gorkhaland agitations.