Bhaichung Bhutia quits Trinamool Congress, says not associated with any political party

Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Monday announced that he has resigned from all the official and political posts of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Bhutia, who had joined the TMC in 2013, tweeted,”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.”

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

Bhutia, who retired from professional football in 2011,  joined Mamata Banerjee-led TMC two years later. He had then said that he did not want to sit on the sidelines and criticise how things are being done in the system.

Bhutia had contested elections twice on Trinamool Congress’ ticket. He contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 from Darjeeling losing to BJP’s SS Ahluwalia. 

Bhutia has not given any reason for his resignation. However, there has been speculations that the former footballer had a fallout with TMC leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Bhutia had recently raised his voice against the party and expressed support for a separate Gorkhaland.